When Ateneo de Manila University coach Tab Baldwin sees something he does not like, he does not hesitate to call it out.
The Blue Eagles may be just one win away from another finals appearance in the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament, but the 63-year-old is always on the lookout for things they can improve.
“It was a very physical game,” said the former Gilas Pilipinas head coach.
“This year, I had eye surgery and I don’t think it worked because I saw a whole bunch of things out there happening on the court.”
After lamenting his team’s dismal showing against Far Eastern University, Baldwin made sure to air his frustrations with the refereeing of the match.
For the third straight game that ended in a blowout win for the Blue Eagles, the University of Notre Dame alumnus received a technical foul for his behavior on the floor.
Earlier in the season – against University of Santo Tomas in the first round to be exact – Baldwin sat out the post-game press conference. Instead, he had his lead assistant, Sandy Arespacochaga, face the media.
This time, though, he took it upon himself to be vocal about the things he felt were interesting, to say the least.
“I think the three guys in gray shirts maybe… You know, I don’t know, maybe they need to get what I got, or maybe I shouldn’t have got what I got,” said the three-time UAAP champion, who already has three techs this season.
“I don’t know, but it was certainly a different perspective standing on the sideline and what it must be running down the floor because it was really tough for the players.”
Indeed, it is very easy to be skeptical of coaches who complain to and about the referees. After all, they may simply be just trying to get an advantage for their players. But Baldwin has had enough and he is willing to take things one step further.
There is no way to determine if and when the former Gilas Pilipinas program head will be able to get what he wants. Still, he is willing to take a shot if only just to prove a point.
“I’d like to see that addressed and we certainly will address that officially with the commissioner, because I think we had a bad game. But I think the refereeing crew had a bad game as well,” he said.
“I’ll take care of our team. I don’t know who’s gonna take care of them. That’s kind of how I feel about it.”
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