Chot’s pet offense stays, says new coach

Tab Baldwin, the new Gilas Pilipinas head coach, will be using basically the same system that got the Philippines back in the world basketball stage.

“I am still relatively new to the system, but I am enamored by it,” Baldwin told reporters last night after being introduced as the new man in charge of the entire national cage program.

Baldwin was referring to the “dribble-drive” offense that his predecessor, Chot Reyes, employed the entire time he handled Gilas since 2012.

“I fully expect that we will continue to use that system, though I don’t expect it to be the entirety of our offensive system.”

The same group that selected Baldwin to replace the resigned Chot Reyes will, incidentally, be the same group that will determine the composition of the new Gilas Five.

“This is an extremely important process and I don’t intend to go at this alone,” Baldwin said. “But the final say will be mine. I will take their advice, I have to learn about these young men (players).”

Though no criteria have yet been set by the PBA with regard to the availability of its players, Baldwin has an array of names to choose from. And he vows to come up with the best lineup possible.

“When we issue a uniform to a player, we want to make sure that the man who stands in that uniform is prepared to represent the country not just as a player but as a person,” Baldwin said. “The players should, and will fight it out to get those uniforms.”