ANTIPOLO — Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin didn't deny that he's in discussions with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) bigwigs over the national team program, but he stressed that much of those are still exploratory talks.
"I think you can tell from the tone of boss MVP's answers that it's premature to talk about it," he said.
Baldwin's name has been floated for the past few days, not as the next head coach of the national team but rather, as the program director for Gilas Pilipinas as the SBP lays down plans for the 2023 Fiba World Cup and beyond.
But Baldwin said nothing is final at this point.
"Nothing's been formalized," he said. "I can say we've had discussions, and I think right now, the SEA Games is the priority to get that taken care of. And suffice it to say that everybody cares a lot within MVP's organization about what happens with Gilas.
"He continues to believe in the program and continues to believe in the future, and continues to invest in it."
What Baldwin can take pride on is the inclusion of two of his Blue Eagles in Thirdy Ravena and Isaac Go in a list of eight amateurs considered for the SEA Games squad.
"It’s always an honor to step up and represent your country. We certainly talked about that and I hope that players all over the country feel that way," he said.
"You guys know my history. I’ve been privileged to represent multiple countries which I adopted in each case. It’s spine-tingling and it should be, and I hope that for our players and all the players who have the opportunity to wear the Philippine colors that it’s exciting and it’s an honor."
Regardless of who makes the cut, though, Baldwin believes that the SBP should give the spots to the 12 most deserving players and field in "a winning team."
"I think they should put together a team that can win. And I think that we have always had the players in this country that could win the SEA Games, but it gets tougher all the time," he said.
"I think that the team that they assemble, whoever's coaching that, should make sure first and foremost that they represent the country well, they give the fans what they want, and that's a winning team."
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