Tab Baldwin resigns as Ateneo Blue Eagles coach
FILE–Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin during a game against UST in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.-Baldwin has resigned as Ateneo coach following the deaths of his players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili in a drowning incident during a team-building activity in Aurora.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Embattled Tab Baldwin has resigned as head coach of the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Ateneo de Manila University president Fr. Bobby Yap, SJ, announced in a press conference on Monday that the university “has accepted the resignation” of Baldwin.
READ: Who is Tab Baldwin? Ateneo coach faces scrutiny after tragedy
Blue Eagles team manager Epok Quimpo has also stepped down from his post.
“I also must inform everyone that the university has accepted the resignation of Thomas Anthony ‘Tab’ Baldwin, effective immediately,” Yap said.
The announcement came a week after the tragic deaths of incoming rookie Rene Baterbonia and sophomore Nigerian big man Divine Adili during the Blue Eagles’ teambuilding activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.
Baldwin coached Ateneo for nine UAAP seasons beginning in 2016. He steered the Blue Eagles to four championships and six finals appearances.
“We thank him for the years of service to the Blue Eagles. But as we enter a period of deep institutional review, change in leadership is necessary to ensure the full integrity of our sports programs and safety protocols covering them. We must look inward, examine our systems, and rebuild the structures of our athletic programs so that our fields and playing courts will be places where dreams are nurtured, not broken,” Yap added.
READ: Tab Baldwin apologizes, says he failed as coach and leader
“To the men’s basketball program, especially our student-athletes, the players, coaching and supporting staff, we also know that you are grieving and in pain, compounded by the relentless misinformation, harsh discourse, and dangerous threats directed at you. We will continue to support you through this difficult time and will always be committed to your safety and wellbeing especially as you also recover from this tragedy.”
Initial police reports said strong rip currents swept four Ateneo players out to sea. Two managed to swim back to shore, while Baterbonia and Adili drowned. Provincial police also confirmed that Baldwin and members of the coaching staff were present during the rescue efforts.
The Philippine Sports Commission, UAAP, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the National Youth Commission (NYC) formed a joint body to probe the incident and review student-athlete safety protocols.
Parallel investigations are also being conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Senate to determine whether administrative or criminal negligence occurred during the activity.
