Metta World Peace to join Tab Baldwin, others in NBTC coaches meet

MANILA, Philippines – What do Tab Baldwin, Rob Beveridge, Nash Racela and Metta World Peace have in common?

They are all winners and know a thing or two and more about developing teams into winners.

Among Baldwin’s accomplishments outside numerous club titles is leading New Zealand to the 2001 FIBA Oceania championship and the semifinals of the 2002 FIBA World Championship; steering Lebanon to the 2010 FIBA Stankovic Cup; and guiding the Philippines to a silver medal in the 2015 FIBA Asia. He has also mentored the Ateneo Blue Eagles to back-to-back UAAP men’s basketball championships.

Beveridge coached Australia’s Under-20 squad to the FIBA U-20 World Championship in 2003.

Racela piloted Far Eastern University to the UAAP crown in 2015 and coached the Philippine team to the SEABA Cup gold medal in 2016.

World Peace, for his part, is a former NBA All-Star (2004) with the Indiana Pacers and champion with the Los Angeles Lakers (2010). Aside from being named the 2004 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, he also made numerous All-Defensive fives. His son, JeRon, is currently playing with FilAm Sports USA in the ongoing Chooks to Go NBTC National Finals.

The three accomplished coaches, along with veteran FIBA doctor George Canlas, Singapore sports official Vincent Ong and motivational speaker Ardy Abello, will discuss and break down various aspects of basketball related to coaching the next generation of youth cagers in the Go for Gold Coaches Convention presented by SM from March 22-24 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

National Basketball Training Center director Eric Altamirano said that all the talks pertain to youth development. 

“As you can see, our theme for this edition of the Coaches Convention is, ‘coaching Excellence: Empowering the next generation athletes.’ And while many principles remain the same over the year, the techniques as well as understanding people in our ever-changing world have made sports and coaching even more challenging. We chose these coaches not only because of their accomplishments, but also because they are known for molding and developing young players into terrific athletes.”

Breaking down the topics, Altamirano said that Ardy Abello will discuss the importance of leadership in sports and coaching, Dr. Canlas will talk about Hydration and Injury prevention, and Vincent Ong will tackle the subject, “What makes a great youth coach.”

For the big game coaches, Racela will teach “offensive concepts for high school basketball.” Joy Reyes will discuss the crucial and all-important topic of identifying young talent. Veteran and renowned strength and conditioning coach Dan Rose will reveal secrets to ultimate training without going to the weight room. 

World Peace will teach defense and basketball opportunities globally while Baldwin will share the secrets of finding peace in the midst of pressure.

“We believe that this current batch of coaches and instructors will provide a unique insight into developing young players and molding them into upright citizens of the world as well as top student-athletes.”

Registration for the Coaches Convention starts at 12 noon on March 22 and is open to all coaches including those from non-NBTC schools.

The Go for Gold NBTC Coaches Convention is also sponsored by Gatorade.