Baldwin and his plan to take Gilas to Rio

Jane Bracher

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Baldwin and his plan to take Gilas to Rio
How will Baldwin form his coaching staff and select his players? What is his role beyond being the Gilas coach? Is there a timeline yet?

MANILA, Philippines – “I want to see Gilas Pilipinas in Rio.”

That’s the first item on new coach Tab Baldwin’s to-do list for the national men’s basketball team in the immediate future. Among other huge goals for Philippine basketball, which includes winning the hosting rights to the 2019 FIBA World Cup and competing well in the same tournament, being in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro is something Baldwin believes should be the priority. 

“I know that we’re all excited with the possibility of hosting in 2019 and I’m excited about that possibility as well but let me just say that I want to see Gilas Pilipinas in Rio,” Baldwin said during a press conference for his formal introduction as new coach on Tuesday, December 23 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“I want to be in the Olympics and I want to see us have gold medals around our necks at the FIBA Asia qualifications. And those are the primary goals.”

In order for the Philippines to make an Olympics appearance, Baldwin must first lead the team to nothing less than a gold medal finish in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, which automatically qualifies a team for the 2016 Olympics.

If the country finishes with a silver or bronze medal, they will have to go the tougher route through the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

“I’m very very excited about the opportunity because this team is in good shape. This program is in very good shape,” said Baldwin, who served as consultant to Gilas before succeeding Chot Reyes for a 4-year contract effective on January 1, 2015.

“It is our hope that we improve on the gains that have been made and take this team and take this country to higher rankings and greater honors on the world basketball stage.” 

No plans yet 

The first order of business for Baldwin is to build his coaching staff and his team. However, he admitted no plans or timelines have been laid out, with some aspects not even in discussion yet. 

“No, we don’t have yet any timelines. We have to work on the whole calendar going from the Asian qualifications in September. We’ll work backwards from there and we’ll put together a program in conjunction with the PBA that allows us the optimal amount of preparation time,” explained Baldwin.

In anticipation of Gilas’ participation in the Asian Championships, which will be held from September 23 to October 3, the PBA already adjusted its calendar for the current 40th season to give the nationals at least 9 to 10 weeks of preparation time. At best, the season could even end in time for Gilas to potentially join the William Jones Cup.

“The original schedule of the PBA would have ended August 7,” PBA Commissioner Chito Salud explained. “We moved this back to as early as the 3rd week of July, giving coach Tab Baldwin and his Gilas team the option to join, if they want, even the Jones Cup which will be some time on August 29. And then the FIBA Asia on September 23.”

Though Baldwin has no concrete names yet, the 56-year old celebrated national coach stressed that forming his staff will be of utmost importance to him, and he has every intention of picking the best assistants with various expertise to contribute to the whole system.

“I think the selection of the assistant coaches will be very important to find the right level of expertise in the various areas that we will need coaching expertise,” Baldwin said. “I will depend heavily on the assistant coaches. From what I observed I expect that we’ll have a strong coaching staff.”

Baldwin, who led the New Zealand national team to the semifinals of the 2002 FIBA World Cup, shed some light on how the process of forming the entire team will work.

“There will be a process that we go through with the bosses as we build this group of people,” he shared. “I will say there is probably nothing as important in the success of this organization as the group of people that we put together.”

When asked whether Reyes could be involved in some capacity with this iteration of Gilas, Baldwin said “the whole development of the coaching staff is up for consideration.”

No open try-outs

As far as players are concerned, Baldwin did reveal that he would not be holding open try-outs. Instead, he is interested in collaborating with PBA coaches as well as collegiate coaches to find the players best suited for Gilas.

READ: Baldwin hopes Fajardo gets more international burn to improve

“This is an extremely important process and I don’t intend to do this alone even though at the end of the day the final decisions have to be mine, who’s in my team,” he explained. 

“We will select the pool. At this point a lot is still in the works but I intend to work with the PBA coaches and the collegiate coaches, take their advice on board. They’re my references for these players.”

Baldwin aims to build not just the national men’s basketball team, but also all the other national squads down to the under-16 and under-18 teams as well as the cadet pool. Though that does not include 3×3 teams.

These players, he said, will be recruited based on personality, character, and skill. 

“When we issue a Gilas Pilipinas uniform to a player, we want to make sure the man that stands inside that uniform is prepared to represent the people of this country not just as the basketball player but as a person,” Baldwin said.

A broader role

The American-New Zealander’s role is not limited to just coaching Gilas per se. His work will be part of a broader scope that emphasizes overall basketball development in the Philippines. 

“He is in charge for the development of all national teams,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas vice chairman Ricky Vargas. “Basically the coaching part. The development of basketball.”

This includes leading the formation and development of various Philippine basketball teams and the country’s basketball program as a whole.

But will Baldwin leave his role as consultant to the PBA’s Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters? 

“My work will be focused primarily on the Gilas program,” he answered, adding there will still be further deliberations about keeping the job or not. “And as the other designations and other work that I might do, it’s still to be discussed.” 

For now, Baldwin will start getting used to having all eyes on him and wearing a seemingly heavier Pilipinas uniform.

“In a different role, the shirt seems a little heavier now. I’m sure that’s the weight of expectation. And it should be that way,” Baldwin said thoughtfully.

“It’s an important job to be the head coach of the national team. As all of you know I’ve been very blessed to coach a few other national teams, but Gilas Pilipinas, it probably would be the leader of the pack in terms of the expectations, in terms of the aspirations. And in terms of the desire of so many people to have success.” – Rappler.com

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