Ateneo accepts Tab Baldwin’s resignation

MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) has accepted the resignation of men’s basketball team head coach Tab Baldwin, university president Roberto Yap, SJ, confirmed to reporters.

Yap said this during a press conference on Monday afternoon, where the ADMU president discussed the developments regarding the deaths of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, two members of the men’s basketball team who died after drowning in Aurora province.

The team was in Aurora for a team-building event sanctioned by the school.

READ: Who is Tab Baldwin? Ateneo coach faces scrutiny after tragedy

“We will not shield to protect anyone, nor will we allow the integrity to be compromised. With this, I must also inform everyone that the university has accepted the resignation of head coach Thomas Anthony ‘Tab’ Baldwin effective immediately,” Yap said.

“We thank him for the years of service to the Blue Eagles. But as we enter a period of deep institutional review, a change is necessary to ensure the full integrity of our sports programs,” he added.

According to Yap, ADMU must “look inward” and evaluate its system to ensure that student-athletes will remain safe and fulfill their dreams.

“We must look inward, examine our systems, and review the structures of our athletic programs so that our fields and playing courts remain places where dreams are nurtured, not broken,” he noted.

Earlier in his statement, Yap apologized to the families of Baterbonia and Adili, saying that the Ateneo leadership acknowledges the pain of the two families, adding that feeling anger towards the university management is natural.

“To the families of Rene and Divine, we see you, we hear you, we acknowledge the unbearable pain of your mourning, we know that the grief you carry right now is compounded by an anger that is entirely natural, justified. On behalf of Ateneo de Manila University, I am here to say simply and directly, we are truly, deeply sorry, we apologize to the families and the entire community for the agonizing pain of this tragedy,” Yap said.

“Two young men entrusted to our care did not return home, and that fact breaks our hearts.  No explanation, context, or words can undo that loss. We face this moment with absolute humility, and we ask your prayers and your forgiveness,” he added.

According to Yap, who appeared to be shaken in delivering the press statement, no words are enough to describe the incident.

Ateneo announced last Monday that Baterbonia and Adili died after drowning amid a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.  Baterbonia, 19, recently played in the Palarong Pambansa finals two weeks ago and committed to the Blue Eagles program, while 21-year-old Nigerian foreign student Adili played in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.

READ: Ateneo’s Rene Baterbonia, Divine Adili die in drowning incident

According to an initial report from the Police Regional Office 3, Baterbonia and Adili “were swimming when they were reportedly carried by a strong current into deeper waters.”

Police said an investigation is underway.

READ: Ateneo players ‘were swimming when carried by strong current’ – police

Several lawmakers, including leaders from the House of Representatives — Deputy Speakers Paolo Ortega V and Jefferson Khonghun, along with Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong — have vowed to file a resolution seeking a congressional inquiry into the incident.

“The House Young Guns strongly calls for an immediate, thorough, and independent investigation into the circumstances of this incident.  To ensure accountability and drive meaningful change, we will file a House Resolution seeking a congressional inquiry into the drowning incident,” the lawmakers said.

“This resolution will compel relevant agencies to examine safety protocols, risk assessment procedures, supervision standards, emergency preparedness, and all other factors that may have contributed to the tragedy,” they added.

READ: More lawmakers want probe into Ateneo hoopers’ death

According to the three, the investigation will allow lawmakers to craft laws that will ensure the safety of student-athletes. /das /atm