Sen. Gordon refutes PBA decision against coach Baldwin

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Senator Dick Gordon went on a completely opposite side regarding the coach Tab Baldwin issue that has been all over the country since Saturday.

Baldwin, who has been penalized by the PBA with a 75,000-peso fine and a three-game suspension due to his “detrimental comments to the league,” was on the hot seat after veteran coaches labeled his comments as “an attack not only to the PH basketball scene but also to every Filipino.”

Criticizing the league’s officiating and single-import conferences, Baldwin’s attention was called by the PBA where he clarified that his statements were “taken out of context.”

However, despite facing the ire of almost all local coaches and the entire PBA, Baldwin has found an ally with Sen. Gordon.

Sen. Gordon was disappointed with how the PBA and the local coaches reacted to what Baldwin said, explaining that they maybe there is some sense to Baldwin’s comments.

“The PBA’s recent decision to suspend Tab Baldwin and fine him for his comments about the league, its officiating and the country’s local coaches is uncalled for. The association should have looked at the message and not shot the messenger,” said Gordon in his social media post.

Gordon defended coach Baldwin’s comments, further explaining that all those were valid because he was able to coach two FIBA tournaments with two different national team rosters.

“I think he is one of the finest coaches that ever came to the Philippines. Our players are good but they need coaching and they need to be disciplined. Not listening to him is our loss,” closed Gordon.