Baldwin sees young talented Blue Eagles

MANILA, Philippines – Coach Tab Baldwin said he likes what he’s seeing at the Ateneo Blue Eagles camp so far but maintained it’s still a work-in-progress.

“There’s talent there, there’s no question. They work hard, they’re likable kids and they’ve won with most of this group playing a lot of minutes (last season). It’s a very young team…but I think this is a team that can win games. Whether we’re gonna compete in the championship or compete for the championship, (I) don’t know yet, it’s a long way away,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin, the current Gilas Pilipinas coach, has been tapped to call the shots for the Blue Eagles, who are eyeing their first UAAP title since their five-peat dynasty ended four seasons ago. He’s had two weeks of training with the squad thus far, focusing on the basics and feeling out the players through scrimmages.

“We’re trying to establish a team culture and we’re trying to establish a work ethic and I’m confident with the coaching staff, we’ll be able to do that,” he said.

Ateneo will embark on its campaign in Season 79 with a crew of youngsters like CJ Perez, Jerie Pingoy, Adrian Wong, and the Nieto brothers Matt and Mike, who will have to fill in the big shoes of graduates Kiefer Ravena and Von Pessumal.

As to which among the Blue Eagles have stood out in their initial sessions, Baldwin said: “I’m not looking for standout (players). I’m looking for a standout team.”

Baldwin did see a lot of promise in Perez, who will make his debut for Ateneo.

“CJ is certainly a talent, a very explosive athlete and (his) end-to-end quickness is about as good as anybody I’ve seen for a long while. He’s got a lot to learn about basketball but I think he certainly got a future in basketball,” he said.

The American-Kiwi mentor said he feels invigorated by this job.

“It’s a very, very big challenge and a huge change in mentality for me. It’s good for me to get back to teaching basics, molding young men’s character and contributing to their lives. It’s good for me as a human being. It’s not the cold and sterile environment of the professionals who come to work then go home at the end of the day. I’m part of these kids’ lives and I feel honored to be entrusted with something very important,” he said.

Baldwin said he’s emphasizing the value of education and building character under his watch.

“It’s a high priority for me that these players understand they’re student-athletes so we wanna make their academic situation sorted out and under control. My job is to help these young men grow into productive men, not just productive basketball players, and I really look forward to that opportunity to work with them,” he said.