SBP STEERS CLEAR OF TAB ISSUE
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas stressed Gilas Pilipinas program director Tab Baldwin spoke for himself and not for the national cage federation in his controversial critique of the PBA and Filipino coaches.
“The thoughts Tab shared are his personal comments. They aren’t aligned with the SBP’s,” federation president Al Panlilio told The STAR.
Panlilio, who also sits in the PBA board as governor of the Meralco Bolts, said he trusts Baldwin to take the right step and set things straight.
“He is mature enough to get himself out of his own predicament,” Panlilio said.
Baldwin, an assistant coach with TNT KaTropa, has actually made a move to clear things up with the PBA, which is readying a fine or possible suspension for “detrimental” statements.
“He asked for an audience and we granted it,” said Commissioner Willie Marcial, who is arranging for the video conference call with Baldwin today at the earliest.
“We want to ask him how he came to say those things. If he has suggestions, this will be the proper avenue,” Marcial added.
Baldwin struck a chord when he said during the recent Coaches’ Unfiltered podcast how he was both “annoyed and surprised” at the “tactical immaturity” of Philippine basketball coaches.
But Baldwin said this “isn’t necessarily the coaches’ fault” and pointed to the PBA’s singleimport conference and “preferential treatment” of imports as part of the “flawed system.”
It didn’t sit well with PBA executives and Pinoy coaches.
NorthPort owner and Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero of 1Pacman party-list said Baldwin, being only a guest here, shouldn’t say anything that will “distort” Philippine basketball history.
“PBA has been very successful since the beginning so he can’t destroy our history in basketball,” said the former league chairman.
“Despite this pandemic, the PBA will continue to grow and sustain its popularity among Filipinos because we love the game, we love the PBA.
“As a guest in the country, he has no right to question the format, much more the integrity of the league and its officials,” added Romero.
Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines president Louie Gonzalez and NLEX mentor Yeng Guiao have also taken offense at being “underestimated.”
“For me it sounds like racism,” said Romero. “While he helped steer Ateneo to UAAP championships, he’s not entitled to underestimate the capabilities of our local coaches.”