MANILA, Philippines—Tab Baldwin was team consultant when the country made its return to the world stage in the 2014 Fiba World Cup in Spain.
Now, as the Philippine team head coach, Baldwin is aiming for a slot in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Tab Baldwin. PBA PHOTO
“I wanna see Gilas Pilipinas in Rio. I wanna be in the Olympics,” Baldwin said Tuesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena after he was formally announced by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas as the head coach of the country’s most revered team.
Apart from bringing Gilas back to its first stint in the Olympics since 1972, Baldwin also wants that gold medal in the 2015 Fiba Asia Championship.
“I want to see us have gold medals around our necks at the FIBA Asia qualifications. And those are the primary goals. I think if we achieve those, we won’t have too many problems figuring out the correct formula come 2017,” Baldwin said.
A gold medal in the Fiba Asia Championship assures a slot in the Olympics.
In 2002, Baldwin steered New Zealand in the semifinals of the 2002 World Championships in Indianapolis.
He was also coach of Jordan’s national team when it beat Asian power Iran in the quarterfinals of the 2011 Fiba Asia. The Iranians have been the biggest hurdle in Gilas’ recent campaigns.
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