Tab Baldwin's apology for controversial comments 'a little bit insincere,' says Ricky Vargas

TNT KaTropa governor Ricky Vargas has accepted Tab Baldwin's apology for his controversial comments on PBA coaches, league format, and officiating.

In a virtual forum with the Philippine Sportswriters Association Tuesday, Vargas said Baldwin apologized to him privately.

The Ateneo head coach also apologized to the league in a meeting with PBA officials, but Vargas said that the mea culpa was "a little bit sincere."

"It was sort of saying 'I apologize but I was taken out of context.' It tended to push it to blaming others," he said.

"And the consequence of that statement na 'taken out of context' became more divisive," he added.

Vargas said he refrained from speaking about the issue since he is also the PBA chairman and let Commissioner Willie Marcial handle the situation.

Baldwin was slapped with a P75,000 fine and three-game suspension after the PBA deemed his comments "detrimental to the league."

Last week, TNT announced that Baldwin is no longer part of their coaching staff as the tactician will focus more on his duties as program director of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and head coach of the Ateneo Blue Eagles. —Justin Kenneth Carandang/MGP, GMA News