(UPDATE) MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin broke his silence on Friday night, June 12, expressing deep remorse over the deaths of 19-year-old Rene Baterbonia and 21-year-old Divine Adili, and admitting he failed in his role as a leader.
Baldwin, who oversaw the team’s training camp in Dipaculao, Aurora, had not spoken publicly since the incident was confirmed earlier this week.
“I failed as a leader. I felt I had failed as a coach. I certainly felt like I had failed as a friend to Divine and Rene,” Baldwin said in a video released by Ateneo de Manila University.
The Blue Eagles have long been known for their intense, “military-like” training camps in Aurora, based on accounts from former players.
Rene’s mother, Rovelyn Baterbonia, had earlier called on the university for answers, noting the lack of communication from both Ateneo and Baldwin.
“Yes, as a coach, I lost my boys too,” Baldwin said. “Never again would I be able to help them develop into the basketball players they wanted to be, or grow into the young men they promised they could become. But that’s insignificant compared to what their families are experiencing.”
He emphasized that his foremost responsibility was the safety of his players.
“As a coach, I am entrusted by you—the parents and families—with their well-being first and foremost. And in this, I feel I’ve failed. And I’m sorry. To the depth of my being, I’m sorry.”
Ateneo clarified that Baldwin’s silence in the days following the tragedy was upon the university’s instruction, as he was asked to prioritize the emotional and psychological welfare of the team while also grieving.
Recalling the incident, Baldwin described it as the “darkest place imaginable.”
“On that fateful day, we sent the players out for what we believed was a routine training run in shallow water. It was only later that we realized they were in danger,” he said.
He added that coaches and players did everything they could to ensure everyone returned safely—but realized too late that two were missing.
“In that moment, I experienced the descent into the darkest place imaginable. And yet I knew that the families who raised these young men would be in an even darker place. That’s when I felt I had failed.”
Baterbonia, the 2025 Palarong Pambansa Most Valuable Player from Agusan del Sur, had been in Manila for just eight days after transferring to Ateneo.
Adili, a Nigerian import, made his debut in Season 87 and was expected to play a key role for the Blue Eagles in coming season.
Baldwin has led Ateneo to four UAAP championships in Seasons 80, 81, 82, and 85 since taking over the program in December 2015.
