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Jay-R Reyes was always the consummate pro during his playing years. Now, he’s helping his children Tyler and Tiffany surpass his achievements.
During his 14-year PBA playing career, Jay-R Reyes was a solid role player, a dependable back-up big man whose six-foot-seven frame and skills in the paint made him a valuable commodity for pro teams.
And while he never achieved superstar status, Reyes was good enough to play over 400 career games, be part of four champion teams, and even win a Jones Cup gold medal with the national team.
But ever since retiring six years ago, Jay-R Reyes has spent much of his time focused on his new role he shares with his wife Jen: guiding the basketball journeys of son Tyler and daughter Tiffany.
One look at the siblings and it’s plain to see that they got their dad’s height genes. Seventeen-year-old Tyler is already six-foot-eight, while 15-year-old Tiffany has already reached six-foot-one.
And luckily for them, they also inherited a natural love for basketball. Jay-R never really pushed them to become players; it was something that the siblings took to naturally.
“My whole life growing up, I was just watching my dad play basketball, play professional basketball,” Tyler told The GAME in an exclusive interview. “So I’ve been experiencing basketball culture ever since I was born. And then I feel like it really just, it was natural for me to just pick up a basketball and just start playing.”
Tiffany shared the same experience.
“Like what my brother said, just watching my dad play in the PBA and the national team, it just influenced me also to build my own path. So ever since I was three, I was surrounded by the basketball culture. So I think that’s what really impacted me.”
So far, both Tyler and Tiffany have shown tremendous potential, enough to earn them prep school scholarships in the United States, where the family has been based for the past few years. Tyler recently accepted an offer from Perkionen Academy in Pennsylvania, while Tiffany will be attending Blair Academy in New Jersey.
Tiffany, in particular, has displayed her skills to a broader international audience, having received a call-up for the Gilas Girls U18 team as early as 2024 when she hadn’t even turned 14 yet. Last year she showed her poise by hitting the game-winner against Korea in the FIBA Asia U18 tournament, on her birthday no less.
Lessons from Dad
Tiffany says she was around five or six years old when she first realized that her father was a celebrity.
“After every game and every time we go to the car, I remember that a lot of people are surrounding him and asking for pictures. So that’s when I realized that my dad is actually a star.”
Initially, Tyler thought all this attention was part of everyday life.
“I was used to a lot of people requesting photos of my dad when I was a kid. So I thought that’s normal. And then growing up, I realized that my dad is a celebrity. A lot of people know him.”
Between the two, it’s Tyler who’s closer to their dad in terms of playing style.
“Since I’ve always been the tallest ever since I was little, my dad taught me the basic footwork of a big man in the post,” he said. “And then he taught me how to be efficient and effective with simple post moves. So it’s the post game for me.”
Despite being tall for her age, Tiffany gravitated more to developing her perimeter game. But that doesn’t mean Jay-R hasn’t taught her a move or two.
“We both play different positions. So I’m a combo guard and my dad’s a big. But he teaches me some of the post moves and stuff like that. So right now, my go-to move because of him is the spin move to a fadeaway. But something that I didn’t get from him was probably shooting.”
That last sentence is a jab at what they feel is their dad’s biggest weakness. Asked if they had to draw up a scouting report on Jay-R Reyes, Tyler and Tiffany were quick to answer.
“I would leave him open in the 3,” Tiffany said. “I’d say in the PBA, he didn’t shoot as many 3s and he’s always in the basket and physical.
“For me, he said that I should also work on it because he didn’t do it is his dribbling,” Tyler said. “Kasi hindi siya gaanong ma-dribble in the PBA. Just the basics.”
Of course, whenever Jay-R would take on his kids in friendly backyard one-on-one games, he’d suddenly turn into Stephen Curry.
“When we 1v1 him, I was shocked that he can shoot,” Tiffany recalled.
“There’s no guarding him,” Tyler said. “You just have to hope that he misses. If he wants to beat you, he can do it. He’s really good.”
Tiffany, though, isn’t convinced.
“Honestly, most of his shots are tsamba. There’s no way that’s going to go in. Like, heavily contested pero pumapasok ‘yung shots niya.”
Off the court, Jay-R simply stressed for his kids to leave it all out on the floor every time they play.
“It’s just to do your best in everything,” Tyler said. “Regardless if you had a bad game or a good game. As long as you did your best, it’s okay.”
“I think he gives us a lot of advice,” Tiffany chimed in. “But that was mostly the main one. To always do your best in anything you do. Because if you didn’t try, then what’s the point? The opportunity will be wasted.”
Siblings Chasing Big Dreams
These skills and life lessons will come in handy as both siblings chase their hoop dreams stateside. Both of them hope to land scholarships at Division 1 schools, which they hope to use as a springboard to reach their ultimate goals.
“My ultimate goal is the WNBA,” Tiffany answered. “But I’m taking it step by step. So just like any opportunities that are given to me at the moment, I’ll take it. My first goal is to make it to Division I basketball, then hopefully to the WNBA.”
Tiffany shared that she’s been receiving valuable advice from her fellow Gilas players Monique Del Carmen and Naomi Panganiban.
“Ate Monique gave me some tips and advices about what I need to improve on.And also from Ate Naomi. They’ve been giving me advice and helping me.”
Right now, Tiffany is gearing up for a basketball camp run by her coach to prepare her for the coming prep season, while also making herself available to the national pool.
“I’m really excited for the opportunity, and it’s better competition. I’m also looking forward on October for FIBA Asia. For me, my plan is to do good basketball-wise in the season, this upcoming school year, and then hopefully get good college scholarship offers in the U.S.
Tyler is also dreaming big.
“I want to play Division I in college. I’ve had a couple of calls and interest, so I’m hoping to get an offer soon,” he said.
“For me, my ultimate goal is to play professional basketball abroad. For me, it’s Japan. I really want to play in Japan.”
Regardless where their basketball journey takes them, Tyler and Tiffany Reyes know they’ll always have their dad behind their backs. And for this, they’ll always be grateful.
“I just want to thank my dad for the support,” Tyler said. “Regardless if it’s a good game or a bad game, he always gives me the right advice.
“Yeah, same thing,” Tiffany adds. “I want to thank him for always supporting me and my brother in anything we do and always just being there for us.”
Banner images from the Reyes family
Frequently Asked Questions
Jay-R Reyes is a former PBA player who competed for 14 seasons, playing over 400 career games as a back-up big man. He was part of four championship teams and won a Jones Cup gold medal with the Philippine national team before retiring six years ago.
Tyler and Tiffany Reyes are the children of former PBA player Jay-R Reyes. Tyler, 17, has accepted a scholarship at Perkiomen Academy in Pennsylvania, while Tiffany, 15, will attend Blair Academy in New Jersey — both aiming for Division I college basketball in the US.
Tiffany Reyes is a 15-year-old combo guard standing six-foot-one who received a Gilas Girls U18 call-up in 2024 before turning 14. She hit a game-winner against Korea in the FIBA Asia U18 tournament and has stated her ultimate goal is to reach the WNBA.
Tyler Reyes is a 17-year-old post player standing six-foot-eight who has been trained in post moves and footwork by his father, former PBA big man Jay-R Reyes. Tyler’s goal is to play Division I college basketball and ultimately pursue a professional career in Japan.
The FIBA Asia U18 Women’s Championship is a regional under-18 tournament organized by FIBA Asia. The Philippine women’s program, Gilas Girls, participates to develop young Filipino players for international competition. Tiffany Reyes represented the Philippines in the tournament, scoring a game-winning basket against Korea.