MAGBABALIK si Tab Baldwin bilang coach ng Gilas Pilipinas sa final window ng FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers at maging ng FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, ayon sa Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
“I have accepted the opportunity and the challenge to be Gilas’ Head Coach at this time,” ayon sa statement ng SBP program director din na si Baldwin.
Ang coach din ng reigning UAAP champions Ateneo de Manila University, ang pangatlong coach ng national team sa FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers.
Nauna si Mark Dickel noong first window ng qualifiers, nang talunin ng Gilas Men ang Indonesia sa home-court nito noong Pebrero 2020.
Nobyembre 2021 ay si Jong Uichico naman ang nagtimon sa national team sa back-to-back wins kontra Thailand sa Bahrain.
“I’m hoping that my international coaching experience and familiarity with our playing systems will be an additional asset to the team in the upcoming challenges the team is facing,” sabi pa ni Baldwin.
Una siyang naging coach ng Philippine national team noong 2015, nang mag-silver finish ang koponan sa William Jones Cup, at noong FIBA Asia Championships sa China.
Si Baldwin pa rin ang humawak sa Gilas noong 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament sa Manila.
Kahit limitado ang panahon ng training ng team, masaya pa rin ang foreign mentor sa ipinapakita ng kanyang mga manlalaro.
“The players are responding very well to the system and to each other. Bumps along the road are inevitable due to their youth and relative lack of experience, but these could be double-edged swords too. I know that when push comes to shove, these men will not only move forward, but more importantly, they will rise up because of the energy, athleticism, and determination granted to them by their youth,” aniya.
“This is a developmental team that is not eyeing perfection, but progress. When you plan for things in the long run, you prioritize progress more than perfection because it allows for more opportunities to grow and learn. This is what I believe can make us worthy of a spot in the 2023 world stage,” sabi pa ni Baldwin.
May tatlong games ang Gilas men’s team sa FIBA Asia Cup third window – kontra South Korea sa Hunyo 16 at 20, at laban sa Indonesia sa Hunyo 18.
Kabilang ang Pilipinas (3-0) sa Group A at kailangan na lang ng isang panalo upang umusad sa FIBA Asia Cup sa Agosto sa Indonesia.
Ang FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament naman ay nakatakda sa Belgrade, Serbia sa Hunyo 29 hanggang Hulyo 4.
179
