Baldwin Says Sorry To Families, Admits Failure

Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin finally broke his silence after the tragic accident that claimed the lives of two of his players during a team-building activity at a beach in Dipaculao, Aurora last Monday, June 8.

In a recorded video message, Baldwin, his voice cracking, apologized to the families of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, who drowned due to the strong water current.

“As a coach, we are entrusted with the growth of our basketball players, the development of these young men into future professionals. But mostly, as a coach, I’m entrusted by you, the parents and the families, with first and foremost, their well-being. And in this, I feel I’ve failed. And I’m sorry. To the depth of my being, I’m sorry,” said Baldwin.

“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,” he said. 

It was the first public statement of the seasoned Kiwi-American mentor, four days after the unfortunate incident the claimed the lives of Baterbonia, 19, an incoming UAAP rookie, and Adili, 21, a foreign sophomore from Nigeria.

While apologizing, Baldwin also focused on conveying his sentiments to the families of Baterbonia and Adili.

“We’re carrying immense grief. We’re carrying immense remorse. But I’ve known since the moment that I was told that our boys had passed away, that no matter the magnitude of our grief, there were two families that experienced a loss that was so much greater than ours, and a loss that would stay with them in the most acute way for the remainder of their lives,” added Baldwin, noting that he also failed in facing the team and addressing the tragedy right away.

The champion coach also recalled the tragedy. 

According to Baldwin, the coaching staff sent the team to “routine training run” along the shores of Hermanos Leisure Farm in Brgy. Lipit in Dipaculao before realizing late that the players were already carried to dangerous waters.

In a statement by Ateneo on Monday, it was deemed a “team building.”

“We did everything that we could as coaches, as people responsible for that situation, the players themselves did everything they could to ensure that everybody arrived back on shore safely. And then we realized that we hadn’t accomplished that,” he said.

“I am so deeply sorry. And I’m so deeply sorry to not just the families, but everybody that feels let down, somehow betrayed. And I pray that we all find some pathway forward to come back to hope for the future, love for one another and forgiveness for those of us who failed and tried so desperately hard to reach a better outcome,” he added. 

Meanwhile, as its fact-finding investigation into the deaths of two Ateneo student athletes continues, the Philippine National Police reminded coach Baldwin and at least 20 other personalities to comply with its subpoena.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.  said yesterday he expects nothing but full compliance and transparency from Baldwin, his assistant coaches, players and other persons who were summoned by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – With additional reports from Emmanuel Tupas, Bella Cariaso, Diana Lhyd Suelto and Ghio Ong