Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin on Monday apologized for his comments on Dave Ildefonso regarding the promising forward’s move to go to National University rather than stay in Ateneo.
In a statement, Baldwin said what he told the media about Ildefonso during the post-game press conference following the Blue Eagles’ romp of the Bulldogs on Saturday was “entirely unnecessary.”
“In the NU post game press conference, I made reference to Dave Ildefonso and his decision to attend NU rather than Ateneo in discussing the recruitment process which we all go through at the university level. In hindsight, my reference to Dave and his decision was entirely unnecessary,” Baldwin said.
“My intent was to highlight the competitive nature of recruiting. I did not mean to cause Dave, his family or the NU team and community any displeasure with my answer. Therefore, to them all, I offer my sincerest apologies.”
Baldwin on Saturday held nothing back when speaking about Ildefonso’s transfer.
READ: Baldwin to Ildefonso, other recruits: Ateneo is ‘right place to be’
“Dave, as everybody knows, was a very valued recruit for Ateneo and we ended up not getting him. I think that we wanted Dave to rethink that decision or perhaps in hindsight, wonder why he made that decision,” he said after the 72-46 drubbing of the Bulldogs.
The 18-year-old Ildefonso played for Ateneo in high school and was a vital piece during the Blue Eaglets’ championship run in the juniors division last season.
Ateneo lobbied hard to keep Ildefonso, who decided to join his father Danny Ildefonso, who is an assistant coach at NU and older brother Shaun.
Ildefonso also spoke with the media on Saturday and went on to respond to Baldwin’s comments.
“I don’t think I made a wrong decision in switching schools and whatever statement they were sending me, I didn’t get it.”