For sure, the top basketball officials of the country led by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio are already considering their next move in lieu of Gilas Pilipinas’ winless campaign in the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China.
Hats off to coach Yeng Guiao and the players, who have sacrificed a lot (supposed to be a time to rest after a gruelling PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign). Can’t say enough of their efforts in representing the country in FIBA despite the many limitations they had during their FIBAWC buildup.
But with the China basketball showpiece done and over with, the national basketball program is where our basketball “gods” need to think through carefully. Less dribbling and more passing, excellent free throw shooting, better execution, among others–these are just some of the lessons our national team can learn from their world-class opponents like Serbia and Italy.
Guiao admitted he’s unsure if he’ll still be leading the national team in future competitions. With four of the five games played by Gilas ending in blowout losses, it’s understandable for Pinoy hoop fans to clamor for change.
But should we come to that point, the top candidate I could think of is none other than Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin.
You see, Baldwin is no neophyte coach in international competitions. Coach Tab has been a winner in the various teams he’s handled.
When he took over the coaching reins for Gilas briefly, he steered the men’s national team to a gold medal finish in the Southeast Asian Games in Singapore in 2015. That same year, he also guided Gilas to a pair of silver medal finishes in the William Jones and the FIBA Asia Championships in Changsa, China.
He also coached Gilas in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying tournament here in Manila.
Coach Tab’s international coaching resume in fact, dates back to 2001 when he led the New Zealand Tall Blacks to a gold medal in the FIBA Oceania Championship. The victory vaulted the Tall Blacks to the 2002 FIBA World Championship where coach Tab steered New Zealand to even greater heights.
Although the Tall Blacks didn’t make a podium finish, they managed to reach the semifinals, which to this date, remains as the best performance by an Oceania team in the history of the World Championships.
His other national coaching stints include Lebanon, which he led to the 2010 FIBA Asia Stankovic Cup title followed by a silver medal finish with the Jordanian national squad in 2011 in Wuhan, China
The pro basketball scene also saw coach Tab win five NBL championships in New Zealand, while being named NBL Coach of the Year four times.
In the UAAP, coach Tab also steered Ateneo to back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018. He also coached the Blue Eagles to the PCCL championship.
Baldwin sure understands the international basketball game, is well-versed with FIBA rules and knows what it takes for the Philippines to continue its ascent in global basketball.
With a vast array of young talents now available in college, I believe the American-Kiwi coach will be the right man for the job.
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