If there is one coach on Philippine shores who is not afraid to speak his mind on the standard of refereeing, then it just has to be Ateneo de Manila University mentor Tab Baldwin.
Throughout his career in the country, especially in the UAAP, the 2002 FIBA World Championship semifinalist has often lashed out at those officiating the games when he feels that certain calls are incorrect. During the matches themselves, he is often seen remonstrating with the officials, as any coach would, to give his team an edge over the opponent.
This time, though, Baldwin has a more diplomatic tone. With his Blue Eagles set to go toe-to-toe against defending champions University of the Philippines in game three of the finals of the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Basketball Tournament, he knows that both teams and the referees are under immense duress to make it a good show for everyone watching.
Tomorrow’s contest will be the 123rd game that will be officiated by the league’s referees. It will be the 62nd men’s game while 61 women’s games have also taken place.
“I’m going to say this. I’m not going to make any qualitative comment on this but in games like these, refereeing becomes such a huge factor. I know the referees want to give us a good game. I know both teams and both coaching staffs — they want consistent refereeing,” said the three-time UAAP champion.
“It’s really tough on those guys. I sympathize with them but you know, they’re professionals. They have a job to do just as we do. But I don’t envy the pressure that they are under now.”
After the first two matches in the series, fans of both teams have voiced their displeasure on social media about some of the calls and non-calls that have occurred.
Giving referees the benefit of the doubt, it is hard for them to be perfect as they need to call the game in real-time while fans have the benefit of the replay and certain angles that may be oblivious to the officials. On the other hand, the players, especially in big games, may tend to bend the rules as much as they can to get an advantage over their opponents.
Players and coaches live with the fact that they can only abide by the decisions of the referees. It is part of the breaks of the game. While it may irk them that their fate may lie in the hands of those they cannot – and should not – influence, they understand that they can only control what they can control.
“I think part of the reason is because of the way the league has been refereed all year long. The players and the coaches and probably even the referees are still trying to figure out what is legal contact and what is illegal contact. We’re all striving to understand what the consistency of that should be. It’s a huge challenge,” said the erstwhile Gilas Pilipinas program director.
“This game — game three — is gonna get even more physical. It’s gonna get even tougher and I don’t think anybody wants to see Ange Kouame, Malick Diouf, Carl Tamayo, Kai Ballungay, Josh Lazaro — I can go on — BJ Andrade sitting on the bench in a game three finals. You know you don’t wanna see that but at the same time, it can’t be open warfare out on the court,” he continued.
“So I sympathize. I don’t envy the position they’re in. It is really tough. We’ll just have to see how that plays out but I know everybody in both camps will be talking about it. We hope and pray that everybody can bring their best in game three.”
When Ateneo and UP compete tomorrow for all the marbles, it will no doubt be another memorable chapter in their growing Battle of Katipunan rivalry. Just like in any other game of basketball, the referees will be forced to make calls, miss some, and give verdicts in very tight situations.
Baldwin, just like his Fighting Maroons counterpart Goldwin Monteverde, will be manning the sidelines and looking to not only direct his Blue Eagles but also perform the necessary protests to the officials when he feels he needs to.
He wouldn’t have it any other way though.
“On Monday, I wish I could play but I might foul out pretty quick,” quipped Baldwin.
“It would be fun. Let it just be whatever it is. I can’t predict it. I don’t think anybody can.”
