AS program director of the team until the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Tab Baldwin’s return as Gilas Pilipinas coach makes sense.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas last Sunday handed Baldwin the Gilas reins anew and for good reason, according to SBP special assistant to the president Ryan Gregorio.
“It is important to understand and of course know that coach Tab Baldwin is tasked to run the program all the way to 2023. And he is just so encouraged and excited to hold these young players all the way in that direction,” Gregorio said.
“Basically, the reason (why he was named coach) is that it’s his program, so it being his program, he wants to make sure that all of the adjustments will be done in accordance with his preference, and he understands international play better than anyone of us or better than anyone of his coaching staff. That is precisely the reason why he is so excited to take on the function,” he added.
The bigger question is: Can the American-New Zealander tactician lead the all-amateur Philippine five to its desired results in the third window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers beginning today in a bubble at the Angeles University Foundation Gym in Clark?
Baldwin, 63, will also call the shots when the nationals do battle in the Olympic qualifying tournament from June 29 to July 4 in Belgrade, Serbia.
The multi-titled Ateneo strategist guided an all-pro Gilas side to a silver medal in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in Changsha, China, and a runner-up finish in the Jones Cup in the same year.
He handled the squad in the Olympic qualifying tourney in Manila in 2016 before Chot Reyes took over.
Gregorio said Baldwin is eager to lead Gilas to new heights.
“He’s very happy with the tremendous support that he’s getting from his coaching staff. So, basically, that is the reason,” Gregorio said.
“It is his program, and he wants to make sure the program that he has set in play from the offensive complexities, the defensive schemes, and the chemistry that he’s trying to espouse will all bring us the kind of good basketball play and give us a good opportunity to win.”
For now, Baldwin’s immediate task is the two tourneys. Whether he stays on the job is hanging in the air.
“He’s looking at two tournaments again,” Gregorio said.
