Veteran collegiate Head Coach Tab Baldwin signed a 3-Year contract extension yesterday, September 20, to stay with the Ateneo de Manila University Men’s Basketball Team on the 1st day of UAAP Season 88.
Taking Care of the Blue Eagles Until Season 91
Ahead of the 1st game in the Men’s Basketball tournament of the UAAP Season 88 yesterday, which fans saw the ADMU take on the Far Eastern University, the news broke out early in the afternoon.
The contract signing took place in the presence of Ateneo president Fr. Bobby Yap, SJ, which was then followed by the team’s send-off mass at the Jesuit Residence Chapel.
“Thank you for building such a strong program over the past years,” Fr. Yap said.
“We are thrilled that you are renewing with us.”
Photo Credits: Ateneo de Manila University
“With you guys, I will be able to be a part of rebuilding this program — bringing glory and success back to the Hill,” said the former Gilas Pilipinas Head Coach
Tab’s current contract with Ateneo is in its last year this Season 88 and amidst rumors of him leaving the Philippines in order to coach for the national team of another Southeast Asian country, the Filipino-Kiwi shut down these rumors.
In Year 2 of his ‘Rebuild Mode’ with the Iconic Blue and White
The 67 year old journey began all the way back in 2016 during the UAAP Season 79 and to everyone’s surprise, he was able to bring ADMU to the Finals, only to lose against their arch rivals, De La Salle University.
After that, the Blue Empire began.
From Season 80 to 82, the Ateneo Blue Eagles went on to win 3 straight championships. More specifically, in Season 82, they swept the entire tournament, going 16-0 to claim the trophy.
After the pandemic, which cancelled Season 83, and with another silver medal finish in Season 84 against the UP Fighting Maroons, the Blue and White men were able to get their revenge against the University of the Philippines in Season 85 and claim another championship.
That’ll be 4 trophies in 5 years.
However, in Season 86, the Fighting Maroons eliminated Tab and his boys during the semifinals, ending their 6-year straight Finals appearance.
In last year Season 87, ADMU began to show signs of going back to square one as they missed the Final Four and settled for the last spot of the team standings with a record of 4-10.
Now in Season 88, this officially marks the Year 2 of Tab Baldwin’s rebuild mode with the Blue Eagles, which now focuses on their cornerstones, 2nd year player Jared Bahay, one and done forward Kymani Ladi, and other players like Dom Escobar and Jaden Lazo.
Thoughts in their 1st Game in Season 88
“At the end of the day, this is where I wanted to be. At the end of the day, this a great offer, to continue the work with the same people,” he said on Saturday as the Blue Eagles secured his services until 2028 during the postgame conference.
“As I said to Boss [Manny V. Pangilinan], and I said to Father Bobby [Yap] today, it kind of feels like coming home without having left home. Ateneo is where I belong, and I’m delighted to be here.”
But with regards to the OT win of Ateneo against the FEU Tamaraws, Tab admits his team still has a lot of learning to do before reaching the ultimate prize again.
“We’ve got to grow up. We’ve got to mature,”
“If we make mistakes like that, we’re going to cost ourselves games that we actually play well enough to win. And a championship team can’t do that. La Salle won’t do that. And if we want to be there slugging it out with the top teams at the end and not just showing up to be at the party, then we’ve got to learn, and we’ve got to learn fast,” he continued.
Ateneo won in clutch with the heroics of their 2nd year guard, Jared Bahay, who now takes on the ‘main man’ role for his team despite being in rebuild mode.
“And we still have young players, but they’re talented players. I’m excited about them. But I can’t wait to get in the dugout and tear some strips off of them right now.”
Bahay shot 3-straight threes for ADMU to go up and take the lead in the extended period, and even stole the rebound against FEU big man, Mo Konateh, after 2 missed free throws by Shawn Tuano. Jared showcases his offensive and defensive brilliance to secure the win, 86 – 83.
