Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball head coach Tab Baldwin has broken his silence on the deaths of players Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia, expressing deep remorse and taking responsibility for what he called a personal and professional failure.
In a pre-recorded video statement, Baldwin admitted he had fallen short as a mentor and leader following the fatal incident during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.
“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. “I’m sorry. To the depth of my being, I’m sorry.”
He extended his apology to the families of the two players, acknowledging the magnitude of their loss and the lifelong grief they now carry.
“I’ve known since the moment that I was told that our boys had passed away that… there were two families that experienced a loss far greater than ours,” he said.
Baldwin also reflected on the loss of his role in the players’ development, both as athletes and individuals, while stressing that it cannot compare to the suffering of their families.
“Yes, as a coach, I lost my boys too… but that is insignificant compared to what your families are experiencing,” he said. “And in this, I failed.”
His statement comes amid growing calls for accountability from the public and sports officials, including Philippine Sports Commission chair Patrick Gregorio.
Ateneo has earlier said Baldwin was asked to hold public comments while investigations proceed, adding that both he and team manager Epok Quimpo are currently on leave as the incident is reviewed.
