Ateneo formally announces Tab Baldwin as head coach

Ateneo formally announced the hiring of Tab Baldwin as the head coach of its men’s basketball team. Photo from Fiba.com

Ateneo de Manila University on Monday officially announced the appointment of Tab Baldwin as head coach of its men’s basketball team.

Baldwin will take over the coaching reins from Bo Perasol, who stepped down following the Blue Eagles’ Final Four loss to eventual UAAP champion Far Eastern University two weeks ago.

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas Anthony “Tab” Baldwin as Head Coach of our Men’s basketball team,” in a statement from the Ateneo Office of the President as posted on the university’s website. 

READ: Ateneo tabbing Baldwin as head coach

The Inquirer first reported Baldwin’s hiring last Saturday.

Baldwin guided the national team to a silver medal finish in the 2015 Fiba Asia Championship last October and is looking to steer the team back to the Olympics when Gilas Pilipinas competes in the Olympic qualifiers in July next year.

READ: Ateneo-Gilas coaching double for Baldwin

Ateneo, which aims to get its championship status back after three failed bids under Perasol, has no doubt Baldwin is the right man for the job with his vast coaching experience.

“Many of your may know Coach Tab because of his great success with our Gilas Team which won the silver medal in the FIBA Asia tourney last October. Coach Tab is a multi-titled mentor who has extensive coaching experience internationally, having coached the national teams of Jordan, New Zealand, and Lebanon,” the statement read.

“We could not have accomplished bringing such a renowned coach to the Ateneo without the support and guidance of Manny Pangilinan. As always, we thank MVP for his leadership and constant care for our alma mater.”

Apart from handling Gilas, the American-Kiwi mentor also serves as consultant the Manny V. Pangilinan-owned TNT Tropang Texters in the PBA.

Ateneo missed the Final Four in Perasol’s first year after winning five straight championships with Norman Black at the helm. The Eagles made the Final Four as the top seed the following year, but still got booted out in the semifinals.

“On behalf of the Ateneo de Manila, I would like to thank Coach Bo Perasol for leading our team these last three years. We remain truly grateful to him for all that he has done for us and we wish him all the best.”

“We thank Coach Tab for his generosity in taking on this mission of coaching and forming our young men. We begin our preparations for Season 79 right away this December and we look forward to working hard for the UAAP championship.”