Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin expressed his deepest regret for the comments he made during the post-game press conference after the Blue Eagles routed the National University Bulldogs last Saturday.
In a statement released by Baldwin, he reflected that the statement he made had been ‘unnecessary’ and that he just wanted to express how competitive the recruitment process was.
“In the NU post game press conference, I made reference to Dave Ildefonso and his decision to attend NU rather than Ateneo in discussing the recruitment process which we all go through at the university level,” the statement read.
“In hindsight, my reference to Dave and his decision was entirely unnecessary. My intent was to highlight the competitive nature of recruiting. I did not mean to cause Dave, his family, or the NU team and community any displeasure with my answer.
“Therefore, to them all, I offer my sincerest apologies,” he closed.
During the same press conference, Ateneo forward Thirdy Ravena was asked what it was like defending the NU rookie. After Ravena responded, Baldwin took the mic, asking if he could comment on that.
“Dave, as everybody knows, was a very valued recruit for Ateneo and we ended up not getting him,” Baldwin disclosed, as the team had chased the Blue Eaglets quartet of Ildefonso, Joaqui Manuel, SJ Belangel, and Jason Credo during the off-season.
“I think that we wanted Dave to rethink that decision or perhaps in hindsight, wonder why he made that decision.
“We want that next recruit that it’s in that position to remember today. We’ll continue to put performances on the court that hope for all of our recruits to take note and think that this is the right place to be,” declared Baldwin. “They don’t want to be on the other side.”
It caused the displeasure of the NU community, as officials from the team deemed the comments as harsh on both the rookie and the school.
For his part, Ildefonso – who went to NU because his father Danny and brother Shaun were there – said that he has no regrets with his decision.
