If there’s anybody who knows Mark Dickel well, it’s Tab Baldwin.
The two have built a special bond together, as Dickel played under Baldwin in the New Zealand Tall Blacks teams that competed in the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
So when the TNT KaTropa were searching for somebody to be their consultant for their shaky 2018 Governors’ Cup campaign, Baldwin recommended his 41-year-old protege.
So the Texters brought him in.
“Talk ‘N Text decided to bring him in, it was entirely their decision.
“I was a very small part of that. I really just gave Mark a good reference. I believe in him, he’s a highly-energetic young coach,” said the current Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach.
“He knows a lot, he has vast experience as a player. I think everybody that loves MVP, TNT, and our group are hoping and praying for Mark’s success,” added the world-renowned Baldwin.
Dickel came into the team this August, when TNT were still 2-4. His arrival has visibly brought a ray of sunshine to the flagship MVP franchise, as they have now improved their card to 4-4.
The Texters have collected their third straight win – their second with Dickel on board – on Sunday evening at the expense of Stanley Pringle and the NorthPort Batang Pier, 104-102.
“Certainly the attitude among the team has changed, there’s a positivity there now and I think Mark is directly responsible for that,” opined the former Gilas Pilipinas head coach.
‘He’s young as a coach, he has things to learn, but he’s a great listener and he loves his players. He’s a player’s coach,” pointed out Baldwin.
“Hopefully he’ll be successful here.”
Baldwin is confident in Dickel’s ability, mainly because he has seen how the former UNLV Rebels member does things his way, which banks on hard work and effort.
“He was not blessed as an athlete but he has a work ethic that’s second to none, that’s probably the thing that I respect most in a player and a coach,” said the American-Kiwi tactician.
“As long as the players are not afraid of hard work – Mark is not afraid of hard work – things will get better if everybody works hard,” he shared.
“That’s what we hope will happen.”
