Bahay, Eagles taking every lesson Baldwin imparts
Jared Bahay is well aware of the many big shoes that he has to fill as far as crack guards ever to have come out of Ateneo under the revered Tab Baldwin go.
From the likes of Tyler Tio, Gian Mamuyac, SJ Belangel and Thirdy Ravena, Baldwin has given his Midas Touch on them that they not only led the Blue Eagles to glorious UAAP paths but have become established professional players here or elsewhere.
All four were in the undefeated Season 82 team that won the championship. And Bahay remembers seeing clips of that squad while he was still in high school.
“It gives me motivation,” Bahay told the Inquirer recently. “I believe in our saying that ‘in Tab we trust.’ I feel motivated that I’m under him. He can not only make me a great basketball player, but a good person in general.”
Jared has happy home
Fast forward to six years and Bahay has found a home in Katipunan.
“I love coach Tab. He has a history and reputation of winning,” Bahay said. “I remember watching them go 16-0 and I got so inspired. I worked so hard and told myself I want to be a part of [a] team [like that].
“Dreams do come true,” he said. “I’m here now and I’m so happy.”
Baldwin, meanwhile, knows that he has another rough talent he can whip into a gem along with Kymani Ladi, a dynamic 6-foot-8 forward who is also a big reason why the Blue Eagles are leading the pack with a 3-0 record.
“He has a lot of information that he’s willing to share and we’re willing to take them,” Ladi said. “He has a lot of knowledge that we definitely use.
Baldwin has so far won 101 games in his UAAP career, fourth on the all-time list where only La Salle’s Franz Pumaren, late Santo Tomas mentor Aric del Rosario and ex-Ateneo tactician have more victories.
He is on track to unseat ex-Ateneo tactician Norman Black at No. 3 if his streak continues for the rest of the year.
But knowing Baldwin, he doesn’t really give a care on personal accomplishments. He is a team-first guy and rarely takes the credit.
And the biggest thing about him is he wants his charges to become better men after being under him.
