Metro Manila, Philippines – The MVP Sports Foundation clarified its involvement in the Ateneo basketball program following the drowning of two student-athletes.

In a statement released on Tuesday, June 16, MVP Sports Foundation president Al Panlilio said it is only providing financial support to the team and does not have a hand in managing the program.

“As with all of the sports programs we support, the MVPSF’s role is limited to providing funding. The foundation does not own or manage the Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team. It does not run the team’s programs’ and athletes’ management, coaching, recruitment, and player development,” Panlilio said.

This is in response to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) statement that it would subpoena officials from Ateneo de Manila University and Smart Communications over the deaths of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, who drowned during a team building event in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8.

Panlilio also addressed the role of former Ateneo Blue Eagles team manager Epok Quimpo, who also works at Smart Communications.

The MVP Sports Foundation is a non-profit organization under the MVP Group of Companies, which Smart Communications is a part of.

“Mr. Epok Quimpo is an employee of Smart Communications. But we understand he has served with the Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team in his own personal capacity over the past full decade — as an alumnus of Ateneo, and as a former member of the Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team, who was invited by Ateneo to be its team manager.

“In that engagement, he has always been under the authority and direction of the University and its officials,” Panlilio said.

Tab Baldwin, who resigned as Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach, along with three Ateneo officials failed to appear on Monday, June 15, at the CIDG’s fact-finding probe on the tragedy.

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