The Philippine basketball world is in mourning after the tragic passing of Ateneo Blue Eagles Rene Baterbornia and Divine Adili.
As with every untimely death, there are nagging, urgent questions on the presiding circumstances. More importantly, this was an official team activity, presumably sanctioned by the academic institution itself. Thus, there would be issues regarding their accountability, which brings us to the first important question:
Why has Coach Tab Baldwin remained silent on the issue?
The usually vocal coach is known for addressing tough questions directly, a man who speaks his mind even on sensitive, spontaneous post-game interviews. It is a valid question why he is uncharacteristically mum on probably the most serious issue in his entire career.
That is precisely the quick explanation. The issue is beyond basketball, and may carry heavy legal implications. These fields are likely beyond Coach Tab’s responsibility and expertise. Moreso, there is already a request for an autopsy and a possible inquiry by government agencies. It is probable that Baldwin was advised not to issue personal statements in favor of Ateneo’s official releases.
Nonetheless, Baldwin was the man in charge in the incident, and he is in a position to make vital clarifications. Which leads us to the next important question:
Why is there contrasting information from Rovelyn Baterbonia, Rene’s mother, and the initial investigation results?
The image of a grieving mother is always haunting. But Rovelyn Baterbonia had more to say. She questioned the “20 kilogram weights” that were placed on her son, and the “military style” of training that had to take place in the ocean, not on the court.
Where did Mrs. Baterbonia get this information? It’s aligned with the recently reposted interviews with former Blue Eagles who went through a similar training. Descriptions ranged from “intense” to even “deadly.”
However, there were specific details which stood out, specifically the 20 kilogram weights and the bruises that she saw on her son’s body. If these are confirmed, then there are serious red flags.
Initial investigations have dismissed the alleged weights, stating that none were found at the scene. After interviews with eyewitnesses which were never specified, the incident was ruled as a “pure accident” caused by unexpected waves. Granting that the initial findings are accurate, there are still lingering questions regarding the training.
Did the Ateneo coaching staff conduct a proper risk assessment?
In an interview with former Blue Eagle Mike Nieto, he recalled that there was almost a similar incident in previous training sessions. He named GBoy Babilonia as the player who almost drowned because the training required them to go deep into the wavy waters of Aurora, even if he did not know how to swim.
If there was already a precedent, there should have been an evaluation and reassessment on how they conduct their “team building” exercises. However, the practice persisted, and may have even intensified.
The “Baler Boot Camp” is not even the first scrutinized training camp in the UAAP. There was already a “Sorsogon Bubble” in 2020 which involved Aldin Ayo, then coach of the UST Growling Tigers.
There are similarities between these incidents: Both involved champions coaches in top programs, both isolated their students from the outside world (Mrs. Baterbonia revealed that her son Rene informed her that he won’t be able to use his cellphone), both subjected their wards under harsh conditions. In Ayo’s case, he was issued an indefinite suspension.
Will Tab Baldwin be banned as well?
Baldwin admitted that he followed American football coach Bear Bryant’s philosophy in subjecting his wards to adverse situations to “break the man” so that “he will be forced to rely on others.”
It has led to other speculations on why two players drowned. There were even unconfirmed accounts stating that there were four players involved in the incident, but the other two were revived. If that were the case, it was more than just a “pure accident” but that is for the authorities to investigate.
Meanwhile, a mother grieves, and Rovelyn Baterbonia’s tearful plea for justice should be heard. Ateneo should offer more than just consolation, but also clarity for a mother who entrusted her son to their institution.
