PBA to penalize Tab Baldwin after comments on league format, officiating of imports

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) will penalize Tab Baldwin for his comments on the league's format and officiating of imports.

The Ateneo head coach appeared in the "Coaches Unfiltered" podcast on Thursday and shared his views on the "regulatory advantages" enjoyed by imports in the PBA.

In a phone interview with GMA News Online, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said Baldwin's comments were "uncalled for" and "detrimental to the league."

"Kami ng technical committee, siguro by Monday maglalabas kami ng ano kung magkano fine niya," Marcial said. "Siguradong may fine 'yan sa 'kin at kung may suspension pa, nag-uusap na kami, pinag-aaralan namin."

Baldwin said one "major flaw" in the Philippine basketball landscape is having only one import in PBA's reinforced conferences.

"We should never have a single import playing on a team. Further, we should never have a single import that is given all of the rules latitude that the imports are given here by the referees, and by the administration of the PBA, and I do believe it is by the administration," said the former Gilas Pilipinas coach.

For Marcial, the veteran coach could have raised this through various official avenues instead of discussing it on a podcast.

"Di 'yan avenue para kausapin kami. Puwede niya akong puntahan sa opisina, puwede niya akong kausapin," the commissioner said. "Puwede niyang tawagan, sabihan ang head coach na si Bong Ravena. Sabihan niya 'yung team manager niya, pwede niya rin dapat sabihin sa chairman ng Board of governors na si boss Ricky Vargas."

Baldwin, who previously served as TNT's team consultant, is listed as a member of TNT KaTropa's coaching staff.

Marcial also disputed Baldwin's comments on how the PBA handles imports, saying the league does not have "double standards" when it comes to calls on reinforcements and local players.

"Kung ano ang tawag namin sa opening game, mapa-import man, mapa-Filipino, hanggang sa Finals pare-pareho," he said. —MGP, GMA News