Kumilos na si Baldwin para sa Blue Eagles

MANILA, Philippines - Sinimulan na ni National coach Tab Baldwin ang kanyang paglalatag ng programa para sa Ateneo Blue Eagles bagama’t hindi pa pormal ang kanyang pagiging head coach ng koponan.

“We’re underway. We’re planning, we’re preparing and I’m thrilled,” wika ni Baldwin matapos ang huling ensayo ng Gilas Pilipinas para sa 2015.

“What name that I’m gonna have in terms of title is pretty irrelevant for me. I know what my job would be. I know I would be there to help young men achieve their aspiration. That’s what I’m gonna do in whatever capacity they call it in the end,” dagdag pa nito.

Hinugot ng Ateneo management si Baldwin para pangunahan ang kanilang basketball program matapos ang pagbibitiw ni mentor Bo Perasol.

Pinalagan naman ng Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines, ang natu-rang pagkuha ng Ateneo kay Baldwin dahil sa ipinaglalaban nilang court ruling na nagbabawal sa mga foreign coach na pamunuan ang isang koponan sa PBA at sa collegiate league.

Ayon naman kay Baldwin, sabik na siyang hawakan ang Blue Eagles sa anumang posisyon.

“The best people to talk on that are the management people. But being a good employee, I will do what I’m told to do. I’m excited about the challenge,” ani Baldwin.

“It’s a new venture for me since I’ve never done college coaching since my college coaching job in the (United) States in 1988,” dagdag pa ng dating mentor ng Auburn Montgomery at Central Florida.

Tiniyak pa ni Baldwin na walang magiging problema sa paghawak niya ng sabay sa Gilas Pilipinas at sa Blue Eagles.

“There won’t be any conflict. Gilas takes precedence all the time.  I won’t divide my time. Time with Gilas will be given to Gilas. Another time will be given to Ateneo,” wika ni Baldwin.