Tab Baldwin is preparing for the ultimate chess match against Nash Racela
In a match made in basketball heaven, two of the brightest minds in Philippine basketball are pitted against each other as Tab Baldwin’s Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles face-off against Nash Racela’s FEU Tamaraws. With both coaches employing almost identical systems, the series will boil down on who makes the quicker and more effective adjustment late in the game.
During the regular season, the Ateneo Blue Eagles were able to sweep the defending champions, 74-59 in the first round and 76-71 in the next round. Moreover, the cagers from Loyola Heights are heading to the Final Four with the longest active win streak in the tournament at six games.
First-year Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin though remains wary of the adjustments Racela will make once the buzzer sounds.
“It’s going to be tough. That’s what everyone told me, I’m the rookie here. This has been a great learning experience for me and I’m still learning. Sometimes, I feel like I’m holding my team back with my inexperience but it’s the second season now right? The playoffs? We have to prepare a little differently, get ready for the intensity,” he shared.
“Coach Nash [Racela] is a smart coach. Last season he already proved it.
“We got to be on our toes and get some people healthy. But we’re looking forward to it. We’re excited we are where we’re at,” he furthered.
The second round rampage the Blue Eagles had was rewarded with a twice-to-beat advantage, a weapon that will certainly play a factor for the young Eagles. The National Team consultant is relieved to be afforded that luxury but stresses that it’s not an excuse to let their guard down.
“It’s huge.”
“Nobody could say that its not big if you only have to win one game. But having said that, it doesn’t decide anything. If anything, it only decides how many games you have to win,” he said.
Experience though trumps youth in the eyes of Baldwin. And he believes that the Blue Eagles are the underdogs entering the anticipated semifinals series.
“I think FEU is going to be a monster. Their players have experience and their coaching staff is experienced out there in these situations.
“For one second, I don’t think we are anything other than the underdogs. And yes, we are in a great position but just let one game slip and it all goes down to one game. We got to prepare like we have been preparing and we got to stay focused on FEU now and not think about anything else,” the 58-year-old mentor said.
Based on the rigorous training sessions the Blue Eagles had in preparation for this series, there’s no denying that they are laser-focused with the task of slaying a monster.
