Even if he has been away from Gilas Pilipinas for the last three years, Tab Baldwin’s heart is still with the men’s national basketball team.
Saturday evening, Baldwin saw first-hand how far the program that he helped develop has come, as his Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles took on the 23 for 2023 Gilas Cadets in their first game in the 2018 Filoil Flying V Premier Cup presented by Chooks-to-Go.
The Blue Eagles were able to come out on top, 75-69, and the tactician that mentored Gilas during the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament had nothing but praise for the young Cadets.
“Kobe [Paras] played well, gave us some problems, best I’ve seen him play,” shared the Kiwi strategist about Paras, who finished with 13 markers.
“They’re searching for chemistry, it’s not easy for the Gilas team and I thought they went out and fought hard.
“They lack size, which is typical to any Filipino team. But they got some good kids, guys who want to do the right things. I admire wanting to play for the national team. I respect them a lot,” he furthered.
Absent from Gilas duties were Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena, Matt Nieto, and Isaac Go. Contrary to reports that the school had barred them from joining their peers, Baldwin shed light on the reason why they have yet to suit up for Gilas.
“I wish our guys could get in there more but right now our academics situation doesn’t allow it with our Finals coming up this week,” Baldwin disclosed.
“After finals, I want them to be involved in the national team program.”
For Baldwin, their duty to Gilas should always come first.
“It’s important. National team should come first,” he asserted.
“In the Philippines, we say that a lot but we don;t really do that. I am proud of those kids who go out there and play for the flag and country and I think they’re ok. They have a lot of work to do but they have a lot of young players so they should have a lot of work to do.”
