Ateneo probe: Players, coaches give ‘inconsistent’ accounts

MANILA, Philippines — “Inconsistencies” emerged between the accounts of the Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball players and their coaching staff regarding the fatal drowning of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

Former Ateneo men’s basketball head coach Tab Baldwin and several other university athletics officials attended the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) investigation in Camp Crame on Friday, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla told reporters in an interview.

READ: Ateneo drowning probe: Baldwin arrives at CIDG

“Our fact-finding continues. They gave their knowledge of the events. There are some inconsistencies between what the players and what the coaches said, but we’re not done yet. So, we can’t give any comments until this is all finished,” he noted.

“They had different vantage points. The players were in the sea. The coaches were on the shore. We’re getting the full details, then we’ll make a conclusive report.”

Baterbonia and Adili died after being swept away by waves during a training activity along the shoreline of Dipaculao, Aurora, last June 8.

For his part, Baldwin apologized over Baterbonia and Adili’s deaths and resigned from his post./coa