PBA, SBP execs say 'no proof' to link Tab Baldwin to exodus of talent

Officials from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) said that there is no proof to link Tab Baldwin to the exodus of national team talent to overseas leagues.

PBA chairman Ricky Vargas, who also serves as TNT governor, admitted that he’s heard rumors saying Baldwin had something to do with Filipino cagers deciding to ply their trades abroad.

But Vargas stressed there’s no solid proof that can back these claims.

“To be honest, I’ve been hearing about that but there is really no proof to that,” said Vargas in a virtual press conference on Friday.

“There’s a lot of talk going around and a lot of rumors, and a lot of speculations because of his connections with some agents.”

These rumors surfaced when Baldwin stepped down from his post as the national team head coach, where he was replaced by Chot Reyes.

Under his tutelage, a number of Filipino talents brought their acts abroad.

To name a few, Thirdy Ravena, Dwight Ramos, Kobe Paras, brothers Juan and Javi Gomez de Liaño all suited up as imports in Japan B. League.

Lebron Lopez also turned professional and signed a deal with Overtime Elite League in the United States while Jordan Heading is playing in Taiwan.

With their commitments overseas, these players’ availability for Gilas Pilipinas have been affected as some won’t be around in the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Still, basketball officials are not putting the blame on Baldwin, despite not dismissing the talk completely.

“It’s hard to prove that but if there’s smoke, there’s fire,” said SBP president Al Panlilio.

“People [who] I talked to who have not been directly involved mentioned it to me. I don’t really mind it but it’s there. We actually don’t know.”

GMA News Online reached out for comments from Baldwin but the veteran tactician has yet to respond as of posting time.

—JMB, GMA News