The Ateneo de Manila University has formally appointed Men’s National Basketball team head coach Tab Baldwin as the head coach of the Blue Eagles in their UAAP Season 78 campaign.
In a statement released by Ateneo president Father Jose Ramon “Jett” Villarin, SJ, Fr. Jett announced the hiring of Baldwin and highlighted the Gilas head coach’s accomplishments in the basketball world. Ateneo’s university president also thanked the school’s basketball program booster Manny Pangilinan for the guidance and support of not only the team, for the entire school.
Here is the message of Fr. Villarin to the Ateneo Community:
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 (“lascosas pequeñas”), we dare to make an oblation of our lives.
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.
Mens sana in corpore sano.
Jose Ramon T Villarin SJ
President
With this, it is now official. Baldwin will be the head coach of the Ateneo Blue Eagles. Moreover, as we previously reported, based on our source, Tab Baldwin is cleared by both the Department of Labor and Employment and the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines to coach the team.
