Rumors about Tab Baldwin’s future with Ateneo de Manila University circulated even before the start of the UAAP Season 87 collegiate men’s basketball tournament.
Now that the Blue Eagles’ campaign has ended – sourly, with a 4-10 record at rock bottom – Baldwin shared that his job at Ateneo continues.
After the team’s final game, a 55-69 defeat to Adamson University, the American-Kiwi mentor outlined what comes next after this disappointing season.
“We’re in the gym Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. We’ll be in the gym, and then the following week is exams, so I’ll get a break but I’ll be recruiting,” said Baldwin on what’s next for him.
“A week after that we start formal practice, then the week after that I’ll be off to the States recruiting.”
Baldwin is eager to get back to the drawing board after the Blue Eagles’ 4-10 finish, making them the only team in the eight-team field to suffer double-digit losses.
Chris Koon and Sean Quitevis will be gone by next year, but Jared Bahay, Kristian Porter, Shawn Tuano, and Joshua Lazaro are expected to carry the torch for Ateneo in the upcoming season.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“I’m excited about next year. I think when you have a dip in the standards that you believe should be part of how you work and who you are… When there’s a dip there, there’s an immediate reaction to that to get back,” said Baldwin, a four-time UAAP champion coach.
“I’ve always been a person driven by challenges, and certainly, this is a big one. It’s never a bad thing to be humble. Definitely, we are humbled.”
Baldwin dismissed rumors about leaving Ateneo after this season as early as September during the UAAP press conference, stating that his contract with the Blue Eagles runs until the close of UAAP Season 88.
