UAAP issues lifetime ban for Tab Baldwin, clears Ateneo to compete in the upcoming season
The University Athletic Association of the Philippines has released its official ruling on the Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team and its coaching staff following the tragic drownings of student-athletes Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora last June 8.
The decision was finalized following Ateneo de Manila University’s internal investigation and an administrative review of official reports from the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the National Bureau of Investigation. Ateneo representatives voluntarily recused themselves from the Board’s final deliberations to maintain the integrity of the process.
According to the collegiate sports association, Thomas Anthony "Tab" Baldwin, former Ateno Blue Eagles head coach, is "perpetually banned" from all UAAP competitions and related activities in any official, coaching, administrative, or advisory capacity. He is strictly prohibited from entering any UAAP venue. The board noted this sanction is final and unappealable.
Meanwhile, team manager Christopher John Quimpo; assistant coaches Dean Caesar Castaño, Sandro Nicholas Romero Soriano, Reynaldo Jacinto Jr., Hernan Ameer Domingo, Caesar Vincent Javellana Elumba, and Grant Dearns; and physical therapist John Eric Rueca have been suspended from all UAAP engagements pending further review. They may appeal their suspension under league guidelines.
"During this period, they shall likewise not be permitted to enter UAAP competition venues in an official capacity. This sanction may be appealed to the UAAP Board in accordance with its applicable rules and procedures," the statement said.
Relying on findings from government agencies, the UAAP Board recognized the other student-athletes as "victims of this tragedy" and cleared the team to compete in the upcoming UAAP Season 89.
As a precondition for Ateneo’s continued participation, the UAAP is requiring the university to conduct a "comprehensive reassessment of the organizational structure and management of its men’s basketball team" to ensure student-athlete protection, welfare, accountability, and institutional oversight.
"The UAAP’s approach in imposing these sanctions is both protective and restorative. It is intended to ensure accountability, strengthen safeguards for the welfare and best interests of all student-athletes, address the harm caused by this incident, and reinforce the lessons learned to foster a safer and more responsible environment across the league," they wrote.
"The UAAP again extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of Rene Clert Baterbonia and Chukwuemeka Divine Adili. Their passing is an immeasurable loss to the community," the statement concluded.
Ateneo's reaction
For their part, Ateneo welcomed the UAAP's decision to allow their basketball team to be part of the upcoming season.
"We are grateful that our student-athletes will once again have the opportunity to represent the University in the UAAP," Ateneo said in a statement.
"For our players, this is more than a return to competition. It is an important step forward in their continuing journey of healing as a team and as young men who continue to grieve the loss of their brothers, Divine Adili and Rene Clert 'Bobet' Baterbonia," they continued, adding that the late student-athletes will always remain with them as they take it to the basketball court.
"The Blue Eagles have always been more than a basketball team. They are brothers, bound by their shared love of the game and by the trust, sacrifice, and care they have for one another. Divine and Rene will always have a place in that brotherhood, and the team will carry their memory with them through the season ahead," wrote Ateneo.
The university also acknowledged the decision to impose a ban on Baldwin and suspend the rest of the coaching staff, promising that their goal is to protect the safety and well-being of their studen-athletes.
"We will continue to learn from what has happened and undertake the measures necessary to live up to the responsibility and trust placed in us," they promised.
As the Blue Eagles return to the court, Ateneo emphasized that the memory of Adili and Baterbonia remains a central part of the program's journey.
They also called on the Ateneo community to unite behind all its varsity athletes as they focus on healing and growth, while reaffirming the university's commitment to prioritizing student welfare and institutional trust.
"Together, let us strive always to be worthy of the trust that our students and their families place in us," they ended the statement.
Baterbonia, who had just transferred to AdMU after graduating from senior high school at Ateneo de Davao University, hailed from Talacogon, Agusan del Sur. Adili, a 6'10" sophomore at AdMU, was a Nigerian national who played for the university in season 88 of the UAAP.
Following the student-athletes' deaths during a team-building activity in June, Baldwin, an American-Kiwi coach, resigned from his position at Ateneo a week after the tragedy.
In July, the NBI recommended to the Department of Justice the filing of charges against the former coach and 11 others. The bureau is seeking charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide against the resigned coach, six assistant coaches, and a physical therapist.
