Veteran basketball coach Tab Baldwin has resigned as head coach of the Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball team as investigations continue into the deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
In a statement released on Monday, Ateneo president Fr. Roberto Yap announced that the university had accepted Baldwin’s resignation, ending his tenure as head coach of the Blue Eagles.
Longtime Blue Eagles team manager Epok Quimpo has also stepped down from his position.
The resignations come a week after Baterbonia and Adili died from drowning during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora. The two basketball rookies were part of the Ateneo squad preparing for upcoming preseason tournaments, including the Filoil Preseason Cup, as well as the university’s campaign for UAAP Season 89.
Before formally resigning, both Baldwin and Quimpo had already taken leaves of absence from their respective roles following the tragedy.
Baldwin made his first public appearance since the incident on June 11 during a candle-lighting vigil for Adili and Baterbonia at Ateneo’s Zen Garden. A day later, on June 12, Baldwin broke his silence and issued a public statement, expressing deep sorrow and “immense remorse” to the families of Baterbonia and Adili.
Government authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two players, while the Ateneo community mourns the loss of the young athletes.
