MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo men’s basketball coach Tab Baldwin issued an apology in a pre-recorded video posted by Ateneo de Manila University after the deaths of players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team-building training activity in Aurora, Philippines, marking his first public remarks since the incident.
Baldwin addressed parents, families, and the university community in the video, where he discussed the circumstances surrounding the activity and said coaches believed the training run was routine in shallow water before conditions became dangerous.
He said the coaching staff and players attempted to bring everyone back to shore after realizing the risk, but the effort did not succeed.
Baldwin said he accepted responsibility for the outcome and expressed apology to the families of the two players, both of whom died during the activity.
He also said he felt he failed as a coach, leader, and friend, and acknowledged the impact of the deaths on the players’ families and the Ateneo community.
Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo remain on leave while Ateneo conducts a fact-finding investigation into the incident.