No sanctions yet as UAAP to ‘go where evidence leads’ in Ateneo drowning incident

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‘We cannot pass judgment this early,’ says UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag as the league gathers information and waits for official reports on the deaths of Ateneo basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili

MANILA, Philippines – UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag on Wednesday, June 10, said the league will “go where the evidence leads” before handing down sanctions to those responsible for the deaths of Ateneo basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

Baterbonia and Adili died from drowning on Monday, June 8, during the Blue Eagles’ team building at a private resort in Dipaculao, Aurora.

Aurora police found no indication of foul play, describing the deaths of the two young big men a “natural accident” based on accounts of people who were with Baterbonia and Adili.

Meanwhile, Ateneo has coordinated with the National Bureau Investigation and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group following the request of Baterbonia’s parents to have his remains autopsied.

“We cannot pass judgment this early,” Saguisag said in a press conference organized by the sports stakeholders’ panel composed of the UAAP, Philippine Sports Commission, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Education, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, and National Youth Commission, when asked whether Ateneo will take part in the upcoming Season 89.

“Not to trivialize what happened, but elementary due process states that everyone should be heard. The expertise of each agency should be considered.” 

“We are now in the process of gathering information, waiting for official reports that have been undergoing.”

The Blue Eagles, mentored by multi-titled head coach Tab Baldwin, have held similar team building activities at the same resort for years, according to Aurora police.

Asked whether Baldwin will be suspended by the UAAP, Saguisag said it is up to Ateneo to penalize the 68-year-old tactician. 

“We have to go where the evidence leads,” said Saguisag.

Baterbonia, Adili, and other Ateneo players, the police said, were in thigh-deep water before they found themselves in a deeper section and got swept away by strong currents.

Contrary to speculations that spread on social media, no weights were found attached to the bodies of Baterbonia and Adili, as confirmed by the rescuers and members of the Blue Eagles’ coaching staff. 

“I asked them, from one coach to another, and they said the players were not asked to wear weights,” said Jess Evangelio, Baterbonia’s high school coach at the Ateneo de Davao. – Rappler.com