“Don’t talk to him! He’s just a rookie,” quipped Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin as media men interviewed incoming freshman Troy Mallillin.
After not having a jersey last Sunday, Mallillin finally made his pre-season debut for the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles last Monday. But it was visible that he still has a long way to go before becoming acclimated to coach Tab Baldwin’s system.
“Three-and-a-half weeks pa lang ako nag-training sa kanila,” admitted Mallillin, who had first committed to join the Green Archers.
“He hasn’t spent a lot of time with us in practice. We’re a team that really believe in bonding ourselves and playing as a team,” the American-Kiwi mentor added.
“He still has a long way to go.”
In his debut, the 6-foot-3 bruiser played just nine minutes, scoring two points and grabbing five rebounds. And Baldwin is just happy to have the NCAA Season 92 Juniors Most Valuable Player on his team.
“It’s great to have Troy in the roster. We’re thrilled that he fell on our lap, he’s a kid with immense talent, he’s got a great pedigree, NCAA MVP last year.
“Very confident kid, very athletic kid but he doesn’t know a lot yet. But we’re thrilled with his attitude, with his toughness, and desire to learn,” shared the 59-year-old mentor, who steered the Ateneo Blue Eagles to the UAAP Finals last season.
Playing under Baldwin is intimidating as it is. But for Mallillin, he takes this as an opportunity to not only grow as an athlete but to become a better person holistically.
“Mas magiging matalinong player ka talaga under coach Tab,” the La Salle Greenhills alumnus shared.
“Hindi lang siya tungkol sa basketball, makakausap mo siya tungkol sa future mo pati academics.”
And as the interview ended, Baldwin beamed like a proud father, saying, “I think he made the right choice.”
