Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin was spotted Thursday at the candle-lighting vigil for Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia at the university’s Zen Garden, marking his first public appearance since the tragic drowning of the two Blue Eagles players in Aurora.
As posted by the univeristy’s official student publication The Guidon, Baldwin joined Ateneo players, students, and members of the community in honoring Adili and Baterbonia, with a mass held at the university chapel.
The veteran coach had stayed out of the public eye in the days following the tragedy, with questions mounting over his whereabouts and silence over the incident.
Earlier in the day, Ateneo announced that Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo have gone on leave to help ensure an independent and fair investigation into the incident.
The university also said Baldwin has been asked to refrain from making public statements while official processes are ongoing.
“His silence should therefore not be misconstrued as indifference or a lack of concern,” Ateneo President Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ said, adding that the school’s priority remains “care, healing, and due process.”
As investigations continue, Ateneo said it believes the facts will eventually bring clarity and understanding to the tragedy.
