Metro Manila, Philippines – The Ateneo de Manila University is still undecided on its participation in the upcoming UAAP season following the deaths of its two student-athletes.
University President Fr. Roberto “Bobby” Yap, SJ, said the school is thoroughly reviewing all options, including a possible withdrawal from Season 89—which opens in September—following the drowning of basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8.
“Yung sa UAAP, wala pang desisyon. Pinagaaralan namin yun pero wala pa talagang desisyon kung anong gagawin,” he said in a press conference.
(Translation: With regards to the UAAP, we don’t have a decision yet. We are still reviewing, but we still don’t know what we are going to do.)
Ateneo has already pulled out of the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup after playing just one game, beating the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 72-52, on June 6.
Yap clarified only head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo are out of the Blue Eagles squad following their resignations.
“Ang nag resign lang yung dalawa. Yung assistant coaches at coaching staff tinutulungan din namin, naging nandoon sila. They’re also in the grieving process. We are providing as much support for them as they grieve this tragedy. There’s no revamp of any sort. They will continue.”
(Translation: Tab Baldwin and Epok Quimpo are the only ones who resigned. We are helping the assistant coaches and coaching staff as they grieve.)
