Tab Baldwin feels iconic Araneta venue adds more history to Fiba World Cup hosting

Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin during the SBP Invitational Games, a test event for the Fiba World Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin believes the Philippines can do a good job hosting the Fiba World Cup 2023 after the Blue Eagles took part in the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Invitational game against NCAA champion Letran on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Blue Eagles unleashed a 12-2 run down the stretch to pull off a come-from-behind 90-85 win over the Letran Knights in the simulation event for the upcoming Fiba World Cup on August 25 to September 10.

But for Baldwin, who was a former Gilas Pilipinas coach, it was a great experience to test the newly-renovated Big Dome and lend a hand to the SBP in its preparations for the historic hosting

“I think all of us here know that SBP can do a good job, Erika Dy is a driving force behind us at the World Cup campaign. There’s no reason we shouldn’t have a great experience here with the World Cup here. I got a lot of friends in the international community and a lot of them are excited about coming to Manila. It’s kinda the informal home of basketball because of the passion and the population,” said Baldwin shortly after the game.

‘THRILLA IN MANILA’

Inside the Smart Araneta Coliseum, one of the main venues of the Fiba World Cup co-hosted by the Philippines. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

The seasoned basketball coach is also hoping that organizers keep the iconic “‘Thrilla in Manila” banner hanging in the rafters of the Big Dome during the hosting of the World Cup. Araneta was the home of the iconic heavyweight boxing match between boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1975.

“Araneta is an iconic building, it’s a historic building and I just hope the organizers would allow us to keep the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ sign and allow this arena to be what it is every day to the Filipino community and enjoy the iconic nature of it.”

“I’ve been to four world championships and one Olympics and you know all the brand new arenas sometimes are a little bit sterile and to come here and really feel the history that this building represents, I think, is something special. I hope we keep it,” he added.

PHYSICAL GAME

Ateneo’s Mason Amos during the SBP Invitational Games, a test event for the Fiba World Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Baldwin was also pleased with the Blue Eagles’ performance in the friendly game against the ‘three-peat’ NCAA champion Letran.

“We just wanted to get a good game and Letran had always given us a good game. As I said, they’re a tough and proud program and it’s a chance for our team, particularly our younger players, to get an experience in playing at the Araneta against a tough team,” said the Ateneo coach, who steered the Blue Eagles to the UAAP Season 85 championship.

Ateneo fought back from a 76-82 deficit in the final three-minute mark as Kurt Reyson started to take charge for Letran but Andrew Bongo provided the timely baskets and stops to ignite a 12-2 run capped by his layup to take an 88-84 lead with 46.5 seconds to go.

The Blue Eagles made the crucial stops before LeBron Nieto sealed the game with two free throws with eight seconds remaining.

“We know Letran is a tough team, a proud program. Very physical atmosphere for our young players to get that experience. You know, this time of the year we’re always looking for a good game and we got a good one today,” said Baldwin, who also praised Reyson’s 25-point explosion.

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“Reyson’s a hell of a player and he had a really good game and we knew that they would go to him. So just a couple of little schemes at the end to try to make sure that he didn’t have opportunities to beat us. The boys executed pretty well. Offensively, we just tried to find good shots for our good shooters and I think JB (Jared Brown) hit a corner three. So better execution at the end than the beginning so I was happy with the team’s progress during the game.”

Mason Amos led Ateneo with 16 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Jared Brown contributed 15 points including a clutch three-pointer during their final run. Bongo had 11 points and seven rebounds, while Kobe Demisana added 10 markers.

Letran leaned on Reyson, who also had five rebounds and three assists but committed eight turnovers. Kobe Monje had 20 points, while Kevin Santos posted 15 points and seven rebounds.