ALLAN THE MAN

If the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) can ensure its full support, then the new Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) leadership may send a Philippine team to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament next year.

Outgoing SBP president Manny Pangilinan admitted that they have been reluctant to send an undermanned squad to compete in the Olympic qualifier next year, especially after the PBA failed to provide all the players the national squad needed during the recent FIBA Asia Championship.

“Hindi ko naman sinasabing 'no' pero let’s be realistic,” said Pangilinan in Reuben Terreado’s report in SPIN.

Even with the deadline for submission of Final 12 around the corner, Gilas Pilipinas coach Tab Baldwin is in no hurry to make his decision.

He has got an idea but he’d rather keep it to himself until they’re in Changsha, China for the team managers’ meeting on the eve of the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas welcomed the decision of defensive ace Marc Pingris to make himself available for Gilas Pilipinas again, (READ: Marc Pingris changes mind, decides to join Gilas Pilipinas pool )but said that his inclusion to the squad will depend on coach Tab Baldwin.

SBP executive director Sonny Barrios said that while Pingris changed his mind and wants to rejoin the team again, it is leaving the decision to Baldwin whether or not he’ll still be inserted to the squad.

Marc Pingris dropped by Gilas Pilipinas practice on Saturday afternoon to formally inform coach Tab Baldwin of his unavailability to suit up for the national team.

The Star Hotshots forward was teary-eyed as he talked to the American-Kiwi mentor at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City, getting emotional for his inability to serve the flag.

Moala Tautuaa, expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft, may not be eligible to play for the Philippine national men’s basketball team in the upcoming FIBA Asia Championship next month but there are plans in the works for the Fil-Tongan to participate with the national team in the future.

Tab Baldwin disclosed the news to sportswriters on Tuesday right after the Gilas Pilipinas training pool’s practice at the Meralco gym.

Well-traveled basketball coach Tab Baldwin is reportedly set to be named the new head coach of the Philippine national basketball team.

A New Zealand website reported Wednesday that Baldwin will not be returning to his old post as coach of the Tall Blacks – the New Zealand national basketball team – and instead take over as Gilas Pilipinas coach.

"NZhoops can reveal that Baldwin has committed to a full-time role with the Philippines national side, with the American-born coach set to be unveiled as their head coach in the coming days," the website reported.

JIMMY Alapag is convinced the Gilas Pilipinas basketball program stands to benefit from the wide coaching experience of Norman Black, Jong Uichico and Talk ‘N Text team consultant Tab Baldwin - three coaches who get mentioned in the midst of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) search for a new basketball coach. 

The 5-7 Alapag said the three are a good fit for the international game, given the track record of Black and Uichico as champion coaches in the PBA, as well as their recent involvement with Gilas Pilipinas since last year.