Ateneo’s coach Baldwin apologizes after biting remarks on Ildefonso, NU

RECOGNIZING on hindsight that some of the remarks he made after their 72-46 victory over the National University Bulldogs at the weekend were uncalled for, Ateneo Blue Eagles coach Tab Baldwin moved to correct things, issuing an apology to the NU community and rookie Dave Ildefonso on Monday.
In a statement issued yesterday morning, the Ateneo coach said after careful thought, he felt that what he said during the postgame press conference on Saturday in reference to Ildefonso and his decision to play for NU “was entirely unnecessary.”
“In the NU post game press conference, I made reference to Dave Ildefonso and his decision to attend NU rather than Ateneo in discussing the recruitment process which we all go through at the university level,” the statement of Mr. Baldwin read.
“In hindsight, my reference to Dave and his decision was entirely unnecessary. My intent was to highlight the competitive nature of recruiting. I did not mean to cause Dave, his family, or the NU team and community any displeasure with my answer,” it added.
Mr. Baldwin then went on to highlight his “sincerest apologies” to all that felt aggrieved by his remarks.
To recall, following their rout of NU, Mr. Baldwin said that the win was a statement of sorts to reconsider for Ildefonso, a sought-after high school player from Ateneo.
“Dave, as everybody knows, was a very valued recruit for Ateneo and we ended up not getting him. I think that we wanted Dave to rethink that decision or perhaps in hindsight, wonder why he made that decision,” the coach said.
“We want that next recruit that’s in that position today to remember that every time they perform on the court. Hope that all of our recruits take note and think that this is the right place to be. They don’t want to be on the other side,” he added.
The pronouncement did not sit well with Ildefonso, who said it was his call to make the decision what is right for him or not, and others who felt Mr. Baldwin should not have said such, especially after a big win. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo