Metro Manila, Philippines – The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) has banned Tab Baldwin from all league competitions and related activities following its administrative review of the June 8 team building tragedy in Dipaculao, Aurora that took the lives of Ateneo student athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
The UAAP made the announcement on Friday, July 7, after reviewing the internal investigation of Ateneo de Manila University and the publicized official reports of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Baldwin is also prohibited from entering any UAAP competition venue, which is final and not subject to appeal.
Ateneo team manager Epok Quimpo and assistant coaches Dean Castaño, Sandro Soriano, Reynaldo Jacinto Jr., Hernan Domingo, Caesar Elumba, Grant Dearns, and physical therapist Jerick Rueca are suspended from participation in all UAAP competitions and related activities.
Unlike Baldwin’s permanent ban, the sanctions imposed on the coaching staff may be appealed to the UAAP Board.
Meanwhile, the UAAP cleared the Ateneo men’s basketball team to compete in Season 89 after the Board took into consideration the players’ expressed desire to honor the memories of Baterbonia and Adili through competition.
However, the UAAP Board has required Ateneo to undertake a comprehensive reassessment of the organizational structure and management of its men’s basketball team.
According to the league, this aims to strengthen student athlete protection, welfare, accountability, and institutional oversight.
Ateneo welcomed the UAAP decision allowing its men’s basketball team to participate in the upcoming season.
“As we begin this new chapter, we remember Divine Adili and Rene Clert “Bobet” Baterbonia with gratitude and continue to pray for their families and loved ones,” the school said in a statement.
“We invite the entire Ateneo community to stand together as One Ateneo in supporting our Blue Eagles across all varsity teams as they continue their journey of healing, growth, resilience, excellence, and formation,” it added.
