Ricky Vargas says Baldwin apology over comments a bit insincere
Speaking during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday, Vargas said Baldwin's claims that his comments were taken out of context didn't sit well with the PBA executive......»»
TNT governor Vargas calls Baldwin’s apology a little bit insincere
PBA chairman Ricky Vargas is not buying the reason of Tab Baldwin for his controversial statements about the league. The TNT governor, speaking about the issue for the first time, said that he had accepted the apology of the embattled Ateneo de Manila University coach. “Nag-apologize si Tab eh. He apologized to me privately. I have accepted the apology,” said Vargas during the online session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday. But Vargas felt that it was a ‘bit insincere’ as Baldwin clarified that the statements he said during his appearance in the Coaches Unfiltered podcast last June 11 were taken out of context. “Ang impact sa akin nu’ng comment niya na ‘taken out of context’ after the apology he made was a little bit insincere,” said Vargas in the Forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Go For Gold PH, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and powered by Smart. Baldwin, who is also the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas program director, drew flak from the league after his comments on local coaches’ tactical immaturity, calling the PBA single-import conference a big mistake and accused referees of giving imports an advantage in officiating. The American-Kiwi mentor clarified that he was just talking about his first impression of basketball in the country but was taken out of context. “It was sort of saying I apologize but I was taken out of context so it tended to push to blaming others,” said Vargas. Baldwin already apologized to the league after his comments drew a firestorm affecting the professional and collegiate ranks. Some agreeing with his commentaries while some took offense of his observations. “The consequence of that statement ‘taken out of context’ became more divisive,” Vargas said. Baldwin was slapped with a P75,000 fine and a three-game suspension by the league two weeks ago. TNT also last Thursday relieved Baldwin of his post as KaTropa’s consultant and assistant coach. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @fromtheriles .....»»
Vargas feels Tab’s apology not sincere
By JONAS TERRADO PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas of TNT KaTropa accepted the apology of its former assistant coach Tab Baldwin for comments that caused stir among members of the local basketball community more than two weeks ago. Vargas, however, admitted that he felt that Baldwin’s apology wasn’t sincere when the American-Kiwi explained […].....»»
Quo Vadis Gilas?
Over the past week, basketball crazy FIBA co-host Philippines has been the mecca for world basketball. Hordes of foreign basketball fans eager to support their teams have trooped to our country, and along with thousands of local fans, including yours truly, have endured the hardships of hours long traffic, bewildering weather of humidity, heat and massive rainfall melding intermittently all within the day enroute to the venues, just to witness live the World Cup’s top hoopsters. Despite what I felt were atrociously expensive tickets for the lower box sections, being an incorrigible basketball fanatic, I just felt that I could not pass up the chance to be part of the once in a lifetime World Cup experience, particularly since I would be in the company of family friends, businessman basketball-sportscaster Dominic Uy who shared his insightful off-court commentaries and who was responsible for getting us some great seats, my erstwhile golfing partner Cookie la’O who had partnered with me decades back to bag the prestigious Mango Tee Tournament championship in Alabang, and my son-in-law, noted New Balance shoe designer Gabe la’O, who flew all the way from New Hampshire to watch some top-notch games. Never mind that they are all as La Salle Green as can be but their youthful energies in cheering their hearts out for every basket, block, steal and mad breakaway was infectious. I watched the US-Greece and Gilas-Italy games live and the experience did not disappoint. The highlights of those games in consonance with the tremendous roars of the fans will be replayed in my memory bank over and over again for a long time to come. But, of course, like all true-blue basketball aficionados, recounting and analyzing the wows of a won game and the what-ifs of a heartbreaker and the future of Gilas is par for the course. So here goes. Despite the four heartbreaking defeats to the Dominican Republic, Angola, Italy and South Sudan, the last game of Gilas winning against the undisputed Asian champion, China, has given us a slight glimmer of hope, again, to have a chance to make it to Paris next year. Although the win was masterfully achieved as a team effort, undoubtedly it was Jordan Clarkson who practically carried Gilas on his shoulders with his hot 3-point shooting in the third quarter. Even China’s coach Sasha Dordevic and NBA star Li Kaier of the Minneapolis Timberwolves pointed to Clarkson as the main reason for their never-before lopsided loss to Gilas. Because of this win, Gilas is ranked 24th out of the 32 participating countries, enough to allow us to participate in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament and so the buzz over Gilas’ chances continues. What changes are needed? As far as the team composition is concerned, unless there are injuries, I believe the current line-up is as good as it can get. All are unquestionably standouts. On the other hand, as far as the coaching leadership is concerned, Chot Reyes already declared immediately after the win over China that he is stepping down because the incessant social media abuse from his critics has been “brutal” for him and his family. Kudos to Chot for his service to the country and for making this move rightly expected of any leader who has not delivered on the goals. The options, however, are limited. And worse, there is an extremely short timeline to make the choice because the Asian Games starts on 23 September. Tab Baldwin of course is the popular clamor, but the UAAP season begins as well this September and I don’t think he will leave the Blue Eagles coachless. Also it seems that there could be some pushback from certain SBA and PBA quarters who might not be too keen on Tab’s up front in your face style. Tim Cone is my own bet because not only is he an equally great coach but also for continuity since he is already in the Gilas coaching staff. Regardless of the choice, however, the problem of conflicting schedules of the players with their home teams will continue to be an obstacle to building a Gilas team that needs to be properly honed with significant playing time together. PBA and SBP will have to somehow firmly reach an understanding, otherwise Gilas fans will have to face up to the reality of more heartbreaks. Quo Vadis Gilas? Until next week… OBF! For comments, email bing_matoto@yahoo.com The post Quo Vadis Gilas? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gilas heartbreakers
The FIBA World Cup games have begun with an opening night of flag-waving, music-filled entertainment proudly showcasing our much-heralded love for singing and dancing. And for the next two weeks, basketball fanatics will be focused on the best of the best hoopsters in the world. Political leanings will be set aside and diplomatic disagreements among competing nations momentarily ignored by 32 countries bannered by a record number of 55 NBA players amicably but surely passionately battling for national pride on the hardcourts of Manila, Jakarta and Okinawa. Undoubtedly, the Philippines has prepared long and hard. Undoubtedly, our Gilas pool of an exciting combination of youthful and seasoned cagers possessed finally with enough height, girth, and basketball savvy to be internationally competitive have stepped up and put their individual professional careers on hold for the opportunity to don the colors of the country. Undoubtedly, MVP, the godfather and financial backer of SBP, has done his utmost best to deliver for the Filipino people the much-cherished dream of returning our basketball team to the Olympics by topping other Asian countries in the World Cup. Undoubtedly, the Filipino fans have continued to pour their hearts out for Gilas, desperately hoping for the much-fantasized victories over the top teams of the world starting with the higher-ranked countries in our group, namely, #10 Italy and #23 Dominican Republic versus our #40 rank. And certainly, a win against lower-ranked #41 Angola would not be an outsized expectation. So, what has happened so far? As of this writing, I must say that, surely, like millions of our countrymen, my heart is utterly heartbroken. Why? Two Gilas games have just been concluded and much to our lament, although we still have one more game to play against Italy, our aspirations for moving up to the second round of 16 have been shattered for all intents and purposes. We still have a long shot for a Hail Mary miracle if the Dominicans beat the Angolans, our tormentors in the second game of Gilas, and IF we beat Italy. This slimmest of slim scenarios will have Gilas tied with Italy and Angola at one win and two losses each, which will have to be settled on point differentials. We first lost to the Dominican Republic 87- 81 in a tightly contested match-up. Our team stood toe to toe against NBA star Karl Anthony Towns, an unstoppable behemoth every time he drove in on his strong side against the defenses of AJ Edu and our own man mountain June Mar Fajardo. Both defenders nevertheless stood out with their steady shooting and defensive efforts. The first game against the Dominicans, to the credit of our undersized team, was a nip-and-tuck affair all throughout that could have gone either way until our scoring machine, NBA star Jordan Clarkson, fouled out with about three minutes left. Without Clarkson to respond to Towns, the game of Gilas quickly unraveled and the outcome became inevitable. The game against Angola started and ended quite differently. With dimming hopes for moving up to the next round, Gilas ferociously came out strong, even leading by as many as 11 points in the second quarter. Clarkson’s shooting, however, was not as sharp, hitting only 32 percent compared to his 38 percent clip against the Dominicans and Gilas’ penchant for turnovers continued to hurt. By the start of the fourth quarter, Angola took control and never looked back. Some lessons to be learned. No matter how great a player Clarkson is, other players will have to step up more consistently. Basketball after all is and will always be about team play. Fajardo was marvelous in the Dominican game but couldn’t maintain his strong play in the match-up against Angola’s NBA Atlanta Hawks center, Bruno Fernando. On the other hand, Edu, Dwight, and Pogoy showed intermittent flashes of brilliance but lacked game-long consistency. The much heralded Kai Sotto, perhaps through no fault of his own since he was denied sufficient playing time to show his stuff, was flat and didn’t really wow the crowd. But perhaps the biggest question asked by basketball pundits is if coach Chot Reyes is up to par compared to the brilliant bench tactician Tab Baldwin who unexpectedly stepped down as Gilas coach. Until next week… OBF! *** For comments, email bing_matoto@yahoo.com. The post Gilas heartbreakers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Intelligence failure
With former president Rodrigo Duterte choosing to remain tight-lipped about his meeting last week with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, pundits went to town sowing intrigue and trying to drive a wedge not only between Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, on one side, but President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., on the other. It did not help that Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro had to add grist to the rumor mill by issuing a statement days ago, pressing Duterte to reveal what he and Xi talked about. On Monday, hours before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his second State of the Nation Address, Teodoro apologized. In a television interview, Teodoro stressed that Duterte “should be treated with the respect and dignity due to any former president,” short of admitting he may have come off as disrespectful in needling Duterte to spill the beans. “So, President Duterte’s visit to China is not unexpected, neither is it a cause for concern. And I apologize for the unintended spin put in a jocose comment on my part,” Teodoro said, in an attempt to blunt the sharp edges of his comments last week. But Teodoro’s backpedaling and his half-baked apology all the more laid bare the panicky inquisitiveness he displayed days ago, which was a far cry from Marcos’ own politically astute handling of journalists’ queries. While he might have been caught flat-footed by Duterte’s trip to Beijing, Marcos Jr. would not be put on the spot when he said he hoped the meeting between the former president and the Chinese leader would ease tensions between the two countries. Likewise, Marcos said he welcomed any form of communication between the Philippines and China, especially given the tension between the two countries’ forces in the disputed waters of the South China Sea. Mr. Marcos’ response to the meeting was cautious, but diplomatic, something that would hew to Xi’s declaration later that, indeed, he and Duterte talked about moving the relations between China and the Philippines closer. While the present administration is seen to have pivoted the country back to the loving embrace of Uncle Sam, Marcos reiterated that he wants to maintain a good relationship with China, while vowing to defend the Philippines’ interests in the South China Sea. Not that the President should concern himself with the trips outside the country of his predecessor; he has the myriad problems of the country — inflation, debt repayments, food security — to focus his energies on. Just the same, judging from the President’s initial statement, it was clear that Mr. Marcos was not briefed about Duterte’s important trip to Beijing. Important, considering the geopolitics at play; important, as seen from the President expressing hope his predecessor would speak about it. But that should have been it. That Marcos wanted to know was to be expected. Still, for Teodoro to echo it reeked of panicky inquisitiveness or a misplaced doggedness to justify his being awarded the defense portfolio just recently. Under any defense playbook, the President not knowing in advance about Rody’s trip to Beijing was a failure of intelligence, and that may be the reason Teodoro has been tripping over himself with one gaffe after another. As the missteps mount, the crazier the spins that are being spread, one of which is that Duterte traveled to China to solicit support for his party as a credible alternative to the Marcos administration. Two things we’d say about this fiasco. One, no one can order Duterte around. President or not, he has never been a pushover; more like someone who would do the opposite just for spite. Two, he’d never ask for support for his party from China because that would be treason. And so, can the loonies behind these coffee-shop yarns already get back to their padded cells or to buying pirated movies? The post Intelligence failure appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
An ‘artist’s’15 minutes of fame
A question of freedom of expression or outright blasphemy? Social media and its ardent followers recently engaged in animated commentary, some amusing, others vitriolic, when drag queen Pura Luka Vega, dressed up to imitate Jesus Christ, performed before a noisy and possibly inebriated audience that sang along with the “star,” a pop version of the church hymn “Ama Namin” in a crowded venue that appeared to be a bar. The engagement drew a flurry of protests, principally from the country’s Catholic faithful. But what did Vega expect? The Philippines is, after all, a country with about 78.8 percent of the population identifying themselves as Roman Catholics based on the 2020 census. While some sectors proclaiming themselves as vanguards of the arts expressed their support for Vega, a participant in a contest featuring drag queens, the majority of the comments, some of them from those who are not even Catholic or “religious,” condemned the act and demanded an apology from the person at the center of the controversy. Many said what he did was “blasphemous, offensive, disrespectful.” Several senators openly denounced his act, with one saying the performer could face criminal charges. Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code punishes “those who offend any race or religion in the performance of obscene or indecent plays, scenes, acts or shows in theaters, fairs, or any other place.” The law imposes a jail term and/or a fine on violators. “As a woman of faith, I admit I find this regrettable. However, I also caution against the use of this incident to deny rights and protections to a community that has long been marginalized and excluded,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros. said For his part, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III said Vega “should think of some other way to make himself known and not resort to gimmickry.” On the other hand, Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman, the first Filipino transgender lawmaker, warned Vega not to use the gender card in his defense. “Do we really need this kind of provocation? What is the contribution of this to LGBT rights?” Roman said. She added that invoking the performance as a constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression is not absolute. She even dared the artist to do what he did to other religions with less tolerant views to see how far he could go. Pope Francis, the first pope, has criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality as “unjust” and advised Catholic priests to welcome LGBTQ people into the Church. My take on the gender issue is probably not as magnanimous as that of the pope. I am a conservative Catholic, meaning I am quite rigid in interpreting/differentiating the male from the female. For me, there are no “in-betweens.” But it does not mean that I do not respect our fellowmen who identify themselves with a gender that is not what they were born with. I respect them so much and would protect them as I would protect my children. But mind you, respect is a two-way street, so let us leave it at that. Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said it was not inclined to press charges against the artist, adding that it was enough that he got the message that what he did was wrong. Although Vega said he apologized “to those who were offended by his performance,” it didn’t sound like he meant it because he added that he would not stop expressing his art, and it was his way of practicing his faith as a Catholic, and it was a form of worship anyway. In a bar before people obviously having a good time? At the same time, he said it was some healing process for him for having experienced exclusion from the Church because he is gay. Huh? The logic escapes me. Vega’s imitation of Christ also drew the ire of local government officials in Gen. Santos City, who recently declared him “persona non grata,” meaning there’s no welcome mat waiting for him in the city. Plucked from obscurity, Vega has become an instant celebrity of sorts and apparently basks in the spotlight. A concept introduced by the late American visual artist Andy Warhol who said, “Everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes,” it implied the fleeting nature of being a “celebrity.” We see this phenomenon now with the surge of bloggers and vloggers flooding all social media platforms, from taho vendors to movie stars to various hangers-on, retired police officers, etc. All one needs is a cellphone with a decent camera. Soon enough, your video becomes viral. Meanwhile, let Vega enjoy his 15 minutes of fame while he can. The post An ‘artist’s’15 minutes of fame appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
UK Roald Dahl Museum acknowledges author’s ‘undeniable’ racism
The Roald Dahl Museum in Britain has detailed work it is undertaking "towards combatting hate and prejudice," it said, acknowledging that the renowned children's writer's racism was "undeniable and indelible". The admission by the museum, located in Buckinghamshire in southeast England, follows an apology in 2020 by the Dahl family and Roald Dahl Story Company for his well-documented anti-Semitic comments. Dahl, the creator of books such as "Matilda", "The BFG" and "Charlie And The Chocolate Factory" who died in 1990, made offensive remarks about Jewish people in a 1983 interview with the New Statesman magazine. The Dahl museum, which is a charity, said it fully supported the 2020 apology and that it "condemns all racism, including antisemitism, directed at any group or individual". "Roald Dahl's racism is undeniable and indelible but what we hope can also endure is the potential of Dahl's creative legacy to do some good," it said on its website. The museum said it was "committed to being more welcoming, inclusive, diverse, and equitable in all aspects of our work," revealing steps it had been taking to achieve that. They include "reflecting the visible diversity of our audiences in our marketing, by running accessible and inclusive recruitment campaigns for staff or trustee positions". It is also better training employees and engaging with several organizations within the Jewish community, including the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council. The museum noted it chooses not to repeat Dahl's anti-Semitic statements publicly, but keeps a record of what he wrote in its collection, "so it is not forgotten". Dahl's comments have long cast a shadow over his personal legacy, which has remained prominent as a number of his children's classics have made it onto the screen and stage since his death aged 74. A prequel film to "Charlie And The Chocolate Factory", featuring computer-generated imagery of Hugh Grant as an Oompa-Loompa and Timothee Chalamet as the eccentric chocolate factory owner Willy Wonka is set for release later this year. Reflecting on his life, the Dahl Museum said he was "a contradictory person" who could be kind and "often helped people, donated to charity, and contributed to medical science". "However, there are also recorded incidents of him being very unkind and worse, including writing and saying antisemitic things about Jewish people". jj/jwp/yad © Agence France-Presse The post UK Roald Dahl Museum acknowledges author’s ‘undeniable’ racism appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Malaysia seeks Interpol help to track US comedian over MH370 joke
Malaysian police said they asked Interpol on Wednesday to help track down a US comedian after her joke about the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 sparked fury and even an apology from Singapore. Jocelyn Chia told the joke during a set at the Comedy Cellar in New York City, reportedly in April, as she riffed on the historically testy relationship between Malaysia and Singapore, where she was raised. MH370 went missing in March 2014, and is one of Malaysia's deadliest aviation incidents, with all 239 people on board presumed dead. Such was the outrage over Chia's joke that Malaysian police began an investigation under incitement and offensive online content laws. On Tuesday Malaysia's police chief Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said they would ask Interpol to help locate her, according to Malaysian news agency Bernama. The head of police in the southern state of Johor said in a statement that a request had been filed on Wednesday. Kamarul Zaman Mamat said they were seeking "further information regarding the suspect to assist in investigations". Chia is being probed under public mischief laws that carry a jail term of up to two years, as well as communications legislation under which offenders face up to a year in prison. Malaysia and Singapore were briefly one state after the end of British colonial rule, but they separated in 1965. Chia, who has roots in Singapore, said in her routine that the city-state had since become a "first-world country" and that Malaysian "airplanes cannot fly". "Malaysian Airlines going missing not funny, huh," she continued. "Some jokes don't land." It caused an uproar on social media, followed by condemnations by top Malaysian officials including the foreign minister. "I am appalled by her horrendous statements," Singapore's foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan tweeted last week. "We treasure our ties with family and friends in Malaysia, and are sorry for the offence and hurt caused to all Malaysians." Chia, however, has stood by her joke despite the intense backlash. The US-born former lawyer told CNN that she had performed that set "more than a hundred times" for more than a year without problems. "I do stand by my joke but with some caveat -- I stand by it in its entirety, when viewed in a comedy club," she told the broadcaster in comments published Sunday. She added, however: "Upon reflection I do see that having this as a clip that gets viewed out of a comedy club context was risky." Chia was defiant even after Malaysia's move to involve the international police body, tweeting: "Would love to see the face of the Interpol officer who received this request." The post Malaysia seeks Interpol help to track US comedian over MH370 joke appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BMW’s Mini apologizes over Shanghai Auto Show’s ice cream ‘discrimination’
Car brand Mini apologized Thursday over accusations of discrimination at the Shanghai Auto Show after a video apparently showed staff at its booth handing free ice cream to a foreigner after refusing it to a Chinese visitor. A video compilation posted on the social media platform Weibo appears to show workers telling the Chinese visitor they were out of the desert. Mini posted an apology over the incident, saying "careless management and staff negligence caused unpleasantness for everyone", and pledged to improve training. The topic "BMW Mini says sorry" had garnered more than 3.4 million views on Weibo by Thursday afternoon. China is the world's largest car market and Mini's owner, German auto giant BMW, has been at pains to emphasize the importance of Chinese customers at the show. The Shanghai event is the first time most international industry executives have been back in China since the Covid-19 pandemic. With domestic brands streets ahead in the crucial electric vehicle sector, BMW has pushed the message that "China is the place to be". "Munich is where we come from, but China is where we are at home," executive Frank Weber told a news conference Tuesday. Almost 70 percent of BMW's latest operating system contains functions specific to the Chinese market and the company has tripled its research and development there in the past three years, BMW said. But the ice cream debacle has sparked online outrage against BMW and reportedly provoked conflicts offline, too. A video posted to Weibo showed someone placing a bag full of ice creams by a booth at the show shouting: "Free for Chinese people!" In another incident, a woman live-streamed a confrontation between herself and security guards -- said to have taken place at the Mini booth -- with streaming comments that claimed "BMW is hitting people!" AFP has contacted Mini for comment. "BMW executives never expected an ice cream to cause such a big disturbance," one internet user wrote. The post BMW’s Mini apologizes over Shanghai Auto Show’s ice cream ‘discrimination’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gerald, Julia ikinumpara kina Justin Bieber at Hailey Baldwin; bashers sunog sa JuRald fans
NAKUNAN ng video sina Gerald Anderson at Julia Barretto while walking na magka-holding hands. Na-post ang video nila sa juralds.officialfanpage sa Instagram at siyempre marami ang natuwa sa sweet moment ng magdyowa. Since the IG page was for Gerald and Julia fans, walang nambasag sa dalawa, lahat ng comments ay pabor sa magdyowa. “Sweet yarn?! […] The post Gerald, Julia ikinumpara kina Justin Bieber at Hailey Baldwin; bashers sunog sa JuRald fans appeared first on Bandera......»»
Radio station sorry to Aquino family for Gadon’s ‘uncalled for comments on-air
Radio station DZIW on Friday night issued an apology to the family of the late President Benigno Aquino III for the "uncalled for comments" made by controversial lawyer Larry Gadon on one of its programs. .....»»
Tab Baldwin not in 'danger' of losing jobs says SBP
Following his controversial comments about the PBA last month, Tab Baldwin ended up being fined and suspended by the league. However, the TNT KaTropa have opted to relieve Baldwin of his duties as an assistant coach, pushing him out of the PBA altogether. [Related: PBA: Tab Baldwin no longer with TNT KaTropa] Nevertheless, Baldwin retained his spot as head coach for the three-time UAAP Champion Ateneo Blue Eagles and as program director for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. Those are Coach Tab's main roles for the time being, says the SBP. "Is he in danger [losing position], hindi naman palagay ko," SBP Executive Director Sonny Barrios said during the recent Philippine Sportswriters Association forum. "Not unless magsasalita ulit siya ng wala sa lugar. But sa ngayon, wala naman," Barrios added. [Related: Unfiltered Baldwin goes in on the PBA's "big mistake" regarding format] As far as the SBP is concerned, Baldwin is still a key factor as the Gilas Pilipinas program looks to function well enough. The goal is to ready the national team by the 2023 FIBA World Cup and beyond. "In fact, si President Al Panlilio wants to have a video conference with him [Baldwin] and the SBP team to address the moving forward of the program," Barrios said. "But in any given situation, nobody has a lock on position, not me, not anybody," the former PBA Commissioner added. — Follow this writer on Twitter, @paullintag8.....»»
PBA: Tab Baldwin no longer with TNT KaTropa
Tab Baldwin will no longer be part of the TNT KaTropa staff in the PBA. Team manager Gabby Cui confirmed Thursday the news that Baldwin is out as a consultant and assistant coach for the flagship MVP franchise. Nevertheless, Baldwin remains as head coach for the UAAP champion Ateneo Blue Eagles and as a program director for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. "Coach Tab will be focusing on his coaching chores in Ateneo and his role in SBP," Cui said. "We would like to thank Coach Tab and wish him well," he added. Baldwin was fined P75,000 and suspended for three games by the PBA last week for his comments on the Coaches Unfiltered podcast. [Related: PBA: Baldwin fined P75k and suspended for three games] However, the KaTropa implied that the decision to let Baldwin walk away from TNT was unrelated to the incident. "We decided on this transition way before the lockdown," Cui said. "The team is adapting well to the system of coach Bong Ravena and consultant Mark Dickel," he added. — Follow this writer on Twitter, @paullintag8.....»»
By the Numbers: Available data support Baldwin s unfiltered takes
Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin sure caused a stir the other week when he made his comments regarding the PBA. Commenting on the league's format, among other things, Baldwin drew the ire of the PBA, leading to a three-game suspension and a P75,000 fine. [Related: PBA: Baldwin fined P75k and suspended for three games] But what did coach Tab really said that caused all this trouble? The two topics that were seen as most sensitive were Baldwin's take on the PBA having only one-import tournaments and coaches having "tactical immaturity" for which Coach Tab said is not entirely the fault of PBA mentors. Here's coach Tab's comment on the PBA imports: "As an industry here, we have one major flaw in the basketball landscape of the Philippines and it's a regulatory flaw and that is that in the PBA, we have three conferences, two of those are single-import conferences. This is a big mistake. We should never have a single import playing on a team. Further, we should never have a single import that is given all the latitude that the imports are given here by the referees... So in other words, to put it in layman's terms, a foul for a local player isn't a foul on an import, and the foul on an import, that same foul on a local player isn't a foul. So our local players are competitively disadvantaged in their ability to compete against the import players, and this is not the case in other countries." As for Baldwin's comments regarding the PBA coaches' "tactical immaturity," here's Coach Tab's full quote: "You ask yourself why one PBA coach after another, when they start their games, they don't match up the imports against one another? Why is that? Well, it's tactically smart, tactically sound because they can afford the fouls, because they know that the imports produce so much offense for their teams. But that's not so bad as in fact, and this gets back to my original point, gets back to the fact that if you're a PBA coach and you don't tactically run your systems through the import, you're pretty stupid because they are given all of the advantages. The PBA coaches are a smart lot, they're good basketball coaches, but they could be much better if they were forced to coach much more. I think then they would show their real talents. But I think that because of the way our imports are treated here, it's not sound thinking for a coach to not exploit what is obvious to every PBA coach, and that is to run your offensive systems through your import. I think that system it creates a false landscape for our basketball coaches and our basketball players. And I think it needs to be changed sooner rather than later." Since Baldwin's comments, his takes have become trending topics on the local hoops scene. But does Coach Tab really have a point? An independent researcher crunched available data from the PBA's previous season and some findings actually support Baldwin's claims. Here's a By the Numbers take on what was found with some good old-fashioned calculating. 9.34 Free throw attempts for imports per 48 minutes. For comparison, local players only get an average of 3.83 free throw attempts per 48 minutes, a significant decrease. This supports Baldwin's observation that imports generate most of the offense. As supporting data, imports get an average of 28.46 free throw attempts per 100 possessions, as opposed to local players generating only 18.56 free thows. 3.41 Fouls called on imports per 48 minutes. As for local players, they are called for an average of 4.71 fouls per 48 minutes, supporting Coach Tab's claim that, "a foul for a local player isn't a foul on an import, and the foul on an import, that same foul on a local player isn't a foul. So our local players are competitively disadvantaged in their ability to compete against the import players." 14.23 percent Free throw trips per scoring possession for imports. Local players get to the line only 9.28 percent of the time per scoring possessions. Simply said, imports just get to the line more, which means more free throw attempts and more chances to score. 23.82 Field goal attempts for imports per 48 minutes. Local players only average 15.9 field goal attempts per 48 minutes. Again, this is in favor of Baldwin's statements that PBA coaches are a "smart lot" for running their offense through the import. It's simply the obvious choice as it generates the most chances of scoring. — Baldwin's unfiltered takes were no doubt controversial and it appears that the issue with the PBA has been resolved for the most part. Nevertheless, key numbers prove that Coach Tab was on to something when he said what he said. — Follow this writer on Twitter, @paullintag8.....»»
Coach Tab shoulders PBA fine on his own - despite offers of help
Gilas Pilipinas program director Tab Baldwin is taking full responsibility for the aftermath of his comments that caused some sort of controversy. A week ago, Baldwin was slapped with a fine of PHP 75,000 as well as a three-game suspension by the PBA. The American-Kiwi mentor has decided to pay the fine out of his own pocket - despite offers of help. "I am deeply humbled by the offer of those in the Ateneo community and friends from supportive companies to shoulder the cost of the fine imposed on me by the PBA," he said. "However, in these times that are so difficult for so many Filipinos, I would prefer that these generous offerings be donated to a much more important cause like Ateneo's ongoing COVID-19 drive for frontliners." Apparently, a number of Ateneo alumni as well as business owners have reached out to Coach Tab, telling him that they will pool together the funds to pay for his sanction. The Ateneo de Manila University's shot-caller and TNT consultant's fine was part of the PBA's disciplinary action for his "comments detrimental to the league." In the inaugural episode of Coaches Unfiltered, Baldwin said that the PBA’s imports stand on higher ground than local players. “A foul for a local player isn’t a foul on an import. Our local players are competitively disadvantaged in their ability to compete against imports,” he said. The brilliant tactician also touched on what he coined as “tactical immaturity” of local coaches - many of whom have not wasted time voicing out opposition to his claims. That was the 62-year-old's answer after being inquired by host Paolo Layug, “What are some of the similarities and differences between Philippine basketball and other places you’ve coached in? What is one thing about Philippine coaching culture that surprised you when you got here?” After his initial response of what he perceives to be “tactical immaturity” of local coaches, he then furthered that there are factors beyond their control affecting that. “Our player development here is mature, but our appreciation for tactical advancement and tactical systems is immature. Now, let me explain to you why I think that isn't necessarily coaches' fault.” That then led to Coach Tab's view on imports. “We should never have a single import playing on a team. Further, we should never have a single import that is given all of the rules latitude that imports are given here by referees,” he shared. The brilliant tactician said so because what he sees as preferential treatment for imports has long been an obstacle local players and coaches could not hurdle. “The imports who come here are very outstanding players… so if you’re a PBA coach and you don’t tactically run your systems through the import, you’re pretty stupid because they are given all the advantages,” he said. He then continued, “The PBA coaches are a smart lot, they’re good basketball coaches, but they could be much better if they were forced to coach much more. I believe, then they would show their real talents.” Those comments have ignited quite the firestorm that has affected the professional and collegiate ranks alike. With his disciplinary action now official, Baldwin has said no to offers of help - instead urging that those be put into efforts of organizations such as Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan and Tanging Yaman Foundation in the continuing COVID-19 crisis. In the end, he said that the presence of those supporting him - in particular, Ateneo patron Manny V. Pangilinan - was more than enough. "I have been in the employ of boss MVP for over five years now and I continue to be grateful for the opportunity to coach his teams. I look forward to more successes on the court," he said. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
Gordon questions PBA’s decision to penalize controversial coach
By JONAS TERRADO Senator Richard Gordon questioned the PBA’s decision to sanction Tab Baldwin for “detrimental comments” made in a podcast last week. PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial suspended the TNT KaTropa assistant for three games and fined P75,000 after making statements regarding league policies on imports and officiating while also […].....»»
Tab suspended for 3 games, fined P75,000
American-New Zealander coach Tab Baldwin was fined P75,000 and slapped a three-game suspension by the Philippine Basketball Association for his comments deemed “detrimental” to the league......»»
Tab Baldwin gets 3-game suspension, P75K fine
By JONAS TERRADO (Updated) Tab Baldwin was slapped a three-game suspension and a P75,000 fine by the PBA on Tuesday for what deemed as “detrimental comments” made against local coaches and league policies on imports. PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial made the decision after meeting with members of the league’s technical committee to discuss […].....»»
UAAP Executive Director on Tab Baldwin: 'Important to know context of what he said'
The UAAP has no problems with comments made by Ateneo de Manila University head coach Tab Baldwin that have caused some sort of controversy as of late. “Insofar as the UAAP is concerned, maganda ang sinasbi about us so no problem,” league executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag said in the Philippine Sportswriters Association online forum on Tuesday. “Whether or not he uttered something that caused a stir among other organizations, we respect that kasi kanilang organization yun eh.” In last week’s Coaches Unfiltered podcast, Coach Tab said that the PBA’s imports stand on higher ground than local players. “A foul for a local player isn’t a foul on an import. Our local players are competitively disadvantaged in their ability to compete against imports,” he said. He then continued, “I do believe that this is based in the desire to have imports as superstars as a marketing tool for the PBA.” The multi-titled mentor then compared the PBA’s imports to the UAAP’s foreign student-athletes. As he put it, “I don’t think that the UAAP needs a marketing tool. It’s already a fantastic marketing vehicle by itself so I think that, on the back of that, we don’t see (foreign student-athletes) being coddled by referees.” The brilliant tactician also touched on what he coined as “tactical immaturity” of local coaches - many of whom have not wasted time voicing out opposition to his claims. Saguisag, however, also reminded everybody to have the complete picture before sharing their mind. “It’s important to know the context of what he said,” he shared. He then continued, “I never watched it in full nor have I read the transcript in full, but it’s very irresponsible to comment on something that you do not appreciate.” Coach Tab is well-known for his long and winding answers to questions. Regarding his view on local coaches, he was inquired by host Paolo Layug, “What are some of the similarities and differences between Philippine basketball and other places you’ve coached in? What is one thing about Philippine coaching culture that surprised you when you got here?” After his initial answer of what he perceives to be “tactical immaturity” of local coaches, Baldwin then furthered that there are factors beyond their control affecting that. “Our player development here is mature, but our appreciation for tactical advancement and tactical systems is immature,” he said. He then continued, “Now, let me explain to you why I think that isn't necessarily coaches' fault.” That then led to his view on imports. “We should never have a single import playing on a team. Further, we should never have a single import that is given all of the rules latitude that imports are given here by referees,” he shared. The brilliant tactician said so because what he sees as preferential treatment for import has long been an obstacle local players could not hurdle. “The imports who come here are very outstanding players… so if you’re a PBA coach and you don’t tactically run your systems through the import, you’re pretty stupid because they are given all the advantages,” he said. He then continued, “The PBA coaches are a smart lot, they’re good basketball coaches, but they could be much better if they were forced to coach much more. I believe, then they would show their real talents.” In the end, the UAAP is of the stance that Coach Tab has each and every right to express his views. “I can’t really comment on the specifics, but at the end of the day, everybody’s entitled to their own opinions,” outgoing league president Em Fernandez of Ateneo said. —— Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
PBA: Baldwin fined P75k and suspended for three games
The PBA did not let Tab Baldwin off easily. On Tuesday, the league officially fined Baldwin for P75,000 and suspended him for three games for issuing statements "detrimental to the league." Last week, Coach Tab caused a stir when he said that the PBA's one-import tournament is a "big mistake" and that local coaches show "tactical immaturity" due to the advantages afforded to imports. Baldwin made the comments on the Coaches Unfiltered podcast. On Monday, Baldwin had an online meeting with PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial to explain his side. [Related: Baldwin in meeting with Commissioner Marcial: "I feel bad"] "I feel bad that has happened but that is not my intention," coach Tab said. Baldwin should serve his suspension when the PBA returns from the COVID-19 pandemic. On top of being Ateneo's head coach and the SBP's program director, Baldwin serves as an assistant coach for the TNT KaTropa. — Follow this writer on Twitter, @paullintag8.....»»