Tab Baldwin Speaks The Truth And PBA Coaches Doesn't Like That

Some coaches are just not capable of being called out and criticized about their craft. They get more upset when one of their own was the one who made the criticism.

When SPIN.ph made headline a few days ago about a foreign coach pointing at the systemic failure of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) to upgrade the level of competition, quality of officiating and standards of the sports that Filipinos hold dear, all hell broke lose.

It is ironic that some Filipinos claimed to love free speech, but when their integrity and commitment are being questioned, they hit back and claim discrimination, abuse and portray themselves as the victim.

That being said, Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin made some criticism, suggested improvements and gave hints on how to move forward. He did not soil the hospitality of the Filipinos. He showed genuine concern about basketball by making unfiltered comments on how to improved it.

Baldwin, who led New Zealand to a bronze medal in the World Cup in 2002, said he was surprised that local coaches are "significantly unaware of the tactical advancements and the systemic advancements of coaching systems coming out of Europe in particular, which you know, are built on the backs of player development."

As an example, Baldwin said the one-import format of the league stunts the growth of the game, especially with the "rules latitude that the imports are given here by the referees and by the administration of the PBA."

Baldwin, also project director of the Gilas Pilipinas program, further claimed that the coaches were "tactically immature" as a result of the existing conditions adopted by the PBA, and that the FIBA and its rules, particularly the 'Hagop rule', should be labeled as "criminal."

Are his criticisms wrong? No. Maybe the tenor and timing were not critically though of, but that is a minor infraction that does not merit a load of fight back and anger from Coaches Yeng Guiao and Tim Cone and definitely not from SMC Sports Director Al Francis Chua, who benefited from the one-import format for years now.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial may have the gripe and have the right to impose a fine on the enigmatic New Zealander who carried a long list of international credentials. However, even the PBA official has to acknowledge that the PBA is currently dealing with many issues that Baldwin has justly emphasized.

Attendance is dwindling. The SMC dominance through lopsided trades in order to keep their grand slam hopes alive. And Calvin Abueva's ongoing suspension, which very few considered as unjustifiable.

This is the time to take note of Baldwin accusations and consider his suggestions seriously. This is not the time for "Pinoy" pride. He may be brutally honest and irreverent, but Baldwin has a case and those points he honestly put forth need to be addressed.