UAAP: Tab Baldwin officially named Ateneo's new head coach

Monday, December 7, 2015

UAAP: Tab Baldwin officially named Ateneo's new head coach

It’s a done deal: The Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles have officially declared Tab Baldwin as their new head coach.

The announcement was made on Monday afternoon (December 7) in a statement released by Ateneo president Fr. Jose Ramon “Jett” Villarin, SJ which was posted on the university's official website.

HERE IS THE OFFICIAL STATEMENT:

"I am pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas Anthony “Tab” Baldwin as Head Coach of our Men’s basketball team.

Many of you may know Coach Tab because of his great success with our Gilas Team which won the silver medal in the FIBA Asia tourney last October. Coach Tab is a multi-titled mentor who has extensive coaching experience internationally, having coached the national teams of Jordan, New Zealand, and Lebanon.

We could not have accomplished bringing such a renowned coach to the Ateneo without the support and guidance of Manny Pangilinan. As always, we thank MVP for his leadership and constant care of our alma mater.

On behalf of the Ateneo de Manila, I would like to thank Coach Bo Perasol for leading our team these last three years. We remain truly grateful to him for all that he has done for us and we wish him all the best.

We thank Coach Tab for his generosity in taking on this mission of coaching and forming our young men. We begin our preparations for Season 79 right away this December and we look forward to working hard for the UAAP championship. As I have said before, if we set our sights on winning, it is never solely for our own glory. In everything, even in the small things (las cosas pequeñas), we dare to make an oblation of our lives ad majorem Dei gloriam."

Mens sana in corpore sano

Baldwin will relieve former coach Bo Perasol of his duties, after the latter announced his intention to step down after the 78th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

Baldwin's appointment is expected to boost Ateneo’s chances of reclaiming the championship form they had during the Norman Black era, where the team hoisted five straight UAAP titles.

The Blue Eagles once again failed to reach the championship round of the recently concluded UAAP season after bowing out in the Final Four against eventual champions Far Eastern University.

The new Ateneo coach is revered in the country for leading the Gilas Pilipinas national team to a second place finish in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in China last October.

He also serves as a consultant for the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters in the Philippine Basketball Association.