By JONAS TERRADO
(Updated) Tab Baldwin was slapped a three-game suspension and a P75,000 fine by the PBA on Tuesday for what deemed as “detrimental comments” made against local coaches and league policies on imports.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial made the decision after meeting with members of the league’s technical committee to discuss the severity of the sanctions on Baldwin, who caused a stir last week with the remarks made in a video podcast.
Baldwin apologized Monday after reaching out to Marcial via online, but maintained that his statements were “taken out of context.”
“I feel bad that it has happened but that is not my intention,” said Baldwin, who will serve his ban once the PBA gets a go-signal to resume its season currently on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Gilas Pilipinas program director and Ateneo coach is officially listed as an assistant coach of TNT KaTropa.
Baldwin came under fire when he said during an appearance in the “Coaches Unfiltered” podcast that local coaches are “tactically immature” and that allowing PBA teams to tap just one import in conferences other than the centerpiece Philippine Cup is a “big mistake.”
He also said that imports get “all of the rules latitude that the imports are given here by the (PBA) referees.”
San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua, NorthPort owner and 1Pacman party list representative Mikee Romero and Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines President Louie Gonzalez were among those who condemned Baldwin’s comments.
Baldwin, however, has received support from fans on social media, believing that the ex-Gilas coach made some valid points despite the harsh words used.
Meanwhile, officials from Ateneo and the UAAP see no problem about Baldwin when asked during the third online session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum, also held Tuesday.
Em Fernandez, the outgoing UAAP president and Ateneo’s representative to the league’s board of managing directors, was honest to say that he has not seen the full episode where Baldwin made the comments but added that he respects the Blue Eagles mentor’s right to speak out.
