As far as the decorated mentor is concerned, Ateneo is not defending anything.
Ateneo Blue Eagles coach Tab Baldwin and UP Fighting Maroons counterpart Goldwin Monteverde had a brief catching-up moment during the press conference for the upcoming UAAP men’s basketball season on Wednesday.
Baldwin was naturally asked about the exchange later, but he didn’t want to make a big deal out it. After all, they were simply talking about basketball stuff like normal people.
“I don’t think its newsworthy. We’re all guys that have coaching experience. We talk about our teams, we talk about our players, we talk about injuries, we talk about eligibility, we talk about the future,” he said.
“We just enjoy each others’ company… When it’s time to fight, we fight. When it’s not then we're just regular guys.”
The two teams figured in a thrilling finale last season that saw Baldwin’s Blue Eagles winning the championship.
Coming into the season, though, the multi-titled coach reiterated his wards are not defending anything. After all, this iteration of the Blue Eagles haven’t proven anything yet.
“This team stands on its own two feet. It’s never won anything, not a single game. So, we can’t speak about championship at this point,” Baldwin told reporters during the press conference at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Youth could be a boon or bane for the Blue Eagles, who will now be led by Kai Ballungay and rookie Mason Amos.
“We are characterized more than anything else by our youth right now and that’s not a great way to go into a season,” he said.
But Baldwin remains upbeat, knowing this is also another chance to develop players who will, if not this season, capture a championship in the years to come.
“It gives us the opportunity to develop and evolve and get stronger as the season goes on,” he said.
“After four or five games we should start to see what they’re really made of and how they adapt. It’s gonna be challenging, it’s gonna be fun.”
(With reports from Martie Bautista, News5)
(MDB)