Philippines coach laments Jones Cup format after strong showing

The Philippine basketball team concluded their Jones Cup campaign with a strong 5-1 record, securing second place in their group. However, a unique tournament format prevented them from advancing to the semifinals, a situation that left head coach Tab Baldwin expressing regret.

"We probably only became clear about the entire system and planning around Monday," Baldwin told reporters after their final game. "If we had known earlier, we could have done better." The Philippines' defeat to Taiwan's 'Blue' team, 117-74, marked their only loss, but it was not enough to overcome the intricacies of the new group stage format.

This year's Jones Cup introduced a group double-round robin system, dividing eight teams into two groups. The top teams from Group A (excluding Taiwan's 'Blue' team), along with the top two from Group B, qualified for the semifinals. Taiwan's 'Blue' team, despite a dismal 1-5 record, secured a semifinal spot due to "home advantage," a provision aimed at giving the host nation a chance to gain experience against stronger opponents for the upcoming Asian Games.

This format, however, became a "major victim" for the Philippine team, who now face Jordan in a playoff for fifth place. Baldwin's comments suggest a lack of clarity regarding the rules from the outset, a sentiment reportedly shared by the South Korean team. Basketball Association of the Republic of China Vice Chairman Wen Ta-pei acknowledged South Korea's initial objections but stated they eventually accepted the format, adding that other teams showed no particular reaction during team leader meetings, implying they were aware of the rules.

“

We probably only became clear about the entire system and planning around Monday. If we had known earlier, we could have done better.