NIKOLE JAVIER

Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin has revealed something that sounds music to the ears of UAAP rivals, especially to the defending champion University of the Philippines.

Days before the opening of the UAAP Season 85, Baldwin admitted the Eagles have yet to reach the level of his standard, citing lack of long and detailed preparations despite stints in Japan and Israel.

“No, I don’t like the short turnaround because I’ve always been a big preparation guy. And with a short turnaround, this team, which has so many new players in it, needs more preparation time and I think our play in the preseason right now reflects that. We don’t look very good in my eyes,” Baldwin continued. 

Even former league MVP Ange Kouame, he said, is yet to recover fully from injuries he suffered three months ago.

“We need more preparation, we need more preparation games and we’re not gonna get them. So, it’s time to buckle up and really prepare for the fight and we have to make it not (as) one big fight, but 14 big fights in order to get to the one big fight,” said Baldwin to Nikko Ramos during his Call To Arms podcast guesting. 

He even found it unusual that he’s been given “a little bit of fall sense of security” after coming off decent in their offseason exploits in Japan and Israel.

His concerns are understandable, though.

With the departure of his most trusted players like SJ Belangel, Gian Mamuyac, and Tyler Tio – who have since turned pro – Baldwin is looking for ways to fill the vacuum they left.

As for Kouame, Baldwin said the naturalized player is still trying to fit himself into the system after missing for two months due to meniscus sprain and a partial anterior cruciate ligament tear.

“He isn’t that close, he missed two months. And he’s a big guy, the long-livers, the body don’t heal, maybe they heal, (but) getting back the coordination, the agility, the mobility, (and) the quickness which is such a big part of Ange’s game hasn’t come all the way back yet. The desire is there, the heart is there and those are important factors for him,” added Baldwin.