MANILA – Thomas “Tab” Baldwin has been designated as the head coach of the Gilas Pilipinas ahead of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers this week at the Angeles University Foundation Gym in Pampanga.
This marks the national men’s basketball team comeback of the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles head coach after supervising the Philippine team over five years ago.
“I have accepted the opportunity and the challenge to be Gilas’ head coach at this time. I am honored to continue working with this outstanding coaching staff as we strive to take these next steps forward in the direction we envision for 2023,” Baldwin said.
“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,” he added.
The 63-year-old Baldwin is the third coach that will guide the Gilas Pilipinas. The squad was mentored by Mark Dickel in the first window, while Joseph Uichico handled the team in the second window.
Prior to his Gilas return, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas selected Baldwin as the project director of the national team, which is being eyed to play in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Baldwin is confident that the national team –comprised mostly of his players from the Blue Eagles – will have a solid showing in the upcoming qualifiers window.
“The players are responding well to the system and 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,” he said.
“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,” he went on.
Gilas Pilipinas will face South Korea on June 16, Indonesia on the 18th, and South Korea on June 20. Only the top two teams in Group A will join host team Indonesia in the FIBA Asia Cup scheduled in August./PN
