Advertisement

Tab Baldwin to be named Gilas head coach soon - report

Manila, Philippines-Talk 'N Text consultant Tab Baldwin talks to coach Jong Uichico during the Philippine Cup quarterfinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on 16 December 2014. (Czeasar Dancel/NPPA Images)

A New Zealand basketball website is reporting that former Gilas and current Talk ‘N Text consultant Tab Baldwin is set to take the head coaching job for Gilas Pilipinas.

"With Basketball New Zealand undergoing an in-depth search to find their next national team coach in the new year, NZhoops can reveal that Baldwin has committed to a full-time role with the Philippines national side, with the American-born coach set to be unveiled as their head coach in the coming days," said the report published in the website NZHoops.

Like the Philippines, New Zealand is also looking for a new head coach for their national basketball team, which means that they had interest Baldwin, who coached their side from 2001 to 2006.

"Formerly head coach of the Malaysia, Lebanon and Jordan national teams, Baldwin’s well-travelled credentials are second-to-none, with it being previously reported that he had been recommend by a Filipino search panel as a favourite for the role," the report continued. "Baldwin’s most recent consultancy gig with the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters of the Philippine Basketball Association is said to have helped to boost his already impressive case."

The Gilas gig means that Baldwin would have to leave the Hawke’s Bay Hawks, a team he led to the New Zealand National Basketball League last year. He won his fourth Coach of the Year title last year and he remains the most victorious coach in the league’s history.

After former Gilas head coach Chot Reyes vacated the position, Baldwin was already one of the favorites alongside Talk ‘N Text Jong Uichico. However, Baldwin has no full time responsibilities as a head coach, which was considered a requirement for the job.

The PBA and SBP formed a selection committee that would handle the decision-making in the forming of the next edition of Gilas. Assuming the report is true, Baldwin would be burdened with great expectations from the day he is officially named the new Gilas head coach as the country is bidding to host the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup while also gunning for the lone Asian spot to the 2016 Rio Olympics.