By Lyka Jazmin dela Cruz
Coach Tab Baldwin has been appointed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas as Gilas Pilipinas’ head coach in the Clark window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
Baldwin coached the national team in the 2015 FIBA Asia Cup in Changsha, China, where it finished runner-up and the 2015 Jones Cup in Taiwan, which produced another silver. He also handled the Gilas team in the highly competitive 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Prior to the coaching appointment, Baldwin was project director of the Gilas team being groomed to join the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which the Philippines is co-hosting with Japan and Indonesia.
In a Facebook post, the SBP announced the return of Baldwin as Gilas coach, assuring him of support throughout the Asia Cup Qualifiers.
“A good coach can change a game, a great coach can change a life. Coach Tab Baldwin will call the shots for Gilas Pilipinas in the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. Congratulations, Coach Tab! We will be with you on this journey!,” the SBP said.
Baldwin will be the national team’s third mentor for the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers after Marc Dickel and Jong Uichico coached the team during the first two windows.
Since January, Gilas Pilipinas has been training for the qualifiers, slated from June 16 to 20 in Clark, Pampanga.
Gilas Pilipinas will face South Korea on June 16 and 20, and takes on Indonesia on the 18th.