Who is Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin?

Tab Baldwin has been synonymous with Ateneo de Manila University’s program in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament over the past decade as the team's head coach.

In recent days, however, his name has been thrust into the spotlight following the tragic deaths of Blue Eagles player Rene Baterbonia and foreign student-athlete Divine Adili during a team-building activity in Aurora.

READ MORE | Ateneo recruit Rene Baterbonia, foreign student athlete Divine Adili die in drowning incident

Who is Tab Baldwin?

An American-Kiwi coach, Baldwin has been with the Ateneo Blue Eagles program since 2016. He first arrived in the Philippines in 2013 to help the Gilas Pilipinas national team.

Under Baldwin, Ateneo emerged as a dominant force in the UAAP, winning four championships, including a rare three-peat from Seasons 80 to 82 (2017 to 2019).

The Blue Eagles, however, failed to reach the Final Four in the last two UAAP seasons.

Last year, Ateneo renewed Baldwin’s contract for three more seasons, keeping him with the program through Season 91.

National team duties

As head coach of Gilas Pilipinas, Baldwin guided the Philippines to a gold medal in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games and the 2015 SEABA Championship.

He also led the national team to a runner-up finish in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship.

In 2021, Baldwin once again handled the national team after five years, but was replaced by Chot Reyes in 2022, citing the need to focus on the Blue Eagles' preparations back then.

Before coaching the Philippines, Baldwin handled the national teams of New Zealand, Lebanon, and Jordan.

In 2023, he was inducted into the New Zealand Basketball Hall of Fame. Among his achievements with the Tall Blacks were a silver medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and a gold medal at the 2001 FIBA Oceania Championship.

Training camp

His approach, though, has been placed under increased scrutiny, particularly with regards to the Ateneo training camp they regularly hold in Aurora, where Baterbonia and Adili died.

In a 2022 interview on the "Shoot First Podcast," former Ateneo stars Gian Mamuyac and Tyler Tio were asked about their experience with the camp.

“Walang basketball doon (There was no basketball involved there),” said Tio. While Mamuyac added, “Dagat lang at buhangin (It was just the sea and the sand).”

Both players said that the training tested their mental toughness.

In another podcast interview, former Ateneo player SJ Belangel had the same sentiments on the one week training in Aurora, describing it as a “deadly training.” He also said, “So Coach Tab is not your friend.”

“Parang pipigain ka doon…brings something out in you…And at the same time, utak na lang gumagana, your body hindi na,” Belangel also said.

(It's like you're being squeezed to your limits there—it brings something out of you. At the same time, only your mind keeps functioning; your body no longer does.)

Shaun Ildefonso, who once played for the Ateneo Blue Eagles before moving to National University, said in a past interview: “Hell week talaga, para siyang ‘Survivor’ (It really is a hell week—it's like being on 'Survivor’).”

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio, when asked about the PSC's position on such training methods, said they do not conform to established standards.

“Hindi po ‘yan standard, definitely wala po ‘yan sa policy ng Philippine Sports Commission, and I’m sure wala sa policy ‘yan ng UAAP at Palarong Pambansa. Wala ‘yan sa policy ng kahit anong NSA (National Sports Association),” Gregorio said.

(That is not standard, definitely not in the policy of the Philippine Sports Commission, and I'm sure it's not in the policy of the UAAP and Palarong Pambansa. It's not in the policy of any of the NSAs.)

“That is a philosophy of a program that is in place. That is their style and prerogative.”

Where is Tab Baldwin?

As of Thursday, Baldwin had yet to issue a public statement regarding the incident.

Gregorio has called on Baldwin to address the public days after the university announced the deaths of the two players.

In a statement, Gregorio said, “Where is Tab Baldwin? Why is he still not speaking up?”

“This is beyond Ateneo. This is a national concern. Out of respect for the family and the Filipino people, he has to come forward.”

The lawyers of the family of Baterbonia said they will request the Department of Justice to issue an immigration lookout bulletin on Baldwin.

According to a report on "Saksi," Atty. Israelito Torreon said the request would be sent on Wednesday night or on Thursday.

"Wala po kaming sinasabi na meron siyang liability. Para lamang po magtuloy-tuloy ang investigation, magre-request kami sa DOJ ng immigration lookout bulletin order muna laban sa kanya," Torreon told reporters.

(We're not saying that he's liable, but for an investigation, we will request from the DOJ an immigration lookout bulletin order on him.)