Ateneo men's basketball coach resigns after two players drown
The head coach of the Ateneo Blue Eagles men's basketball team resigned Monday, one week after two players died during a team-building activity. The school also accepted the resignation of its team manager and said multiple government agencies have opened investigations.
RapplerThe head coach of the Ateneo Blue Eagles men's basketball team resigned Monday, one week after two players died during a team-building activity. Ateneo president Fr. Roberto Yap announced the resignations of head coach Thomas Anthony "Tab" Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo during the school's first press conference since the incident.
The school accepted both resignations effective immediately.
Investigations and statements Yap said a change in leadership is necessary as the school, the Commission on Higher Education, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Philippine National Police have launched separate probes. "We must look inward, examine our systems, and rebuild the structures of our athletic program so that our fields and playing courts will be places where dreams are nurtured, not broken," Yap said.
Baldwin did not appear Monday morning before the fact-finding mission of the PNP's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group at Camp Crame. Only Ateneo athletics director Em Fernandez met with investigators.
Background on the incident The two players, Rene Baterbonia, 18, and Divine Adili, 21, drowned during a team training session on June 8 at a beach resort in Dipaculao, Aurora. Baldwin issued a video apology on June 12, stating he had failed in his duty to ensure the players' well-being.
Baldwin had led the Ateneo men's basketball team since 2015 and guided it to four UAAP championships. He had signed a three-year contract extension in September 2025 that was set to run through 2028.
