The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Board has permanently banned former Ateneo de Manila University head coach Tab Baldwin and suspended several team officials following a deadly team-building incident in June.
The sanctions—described as final and non-appealable—were handed down against Baldwin, team manager Epok Quimpo, physical therapist John Eric Rueca, and assistant coaches Dean Caesar Castaño, Sandro Nicholas Romero Soriano, Reynaldo Jacinto Jr., Hernan Ameer Domingo, Caesar Vincent Javellana Elumba, and Grant Dearns.
The decision stems from their involvement in a June 8 team event in Aurora that resulted in the deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili. All sanctioned individuals are barred from participating in all UAAP competitions and league-sanctioned activities.
The penalties were finalized after reviewing Ateneo’s internal investigation alongside official reports from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).
Despite the administrative action against the coaching staff, the UAAP cleared the Blue Eagles men’s basketball team to compete in the upcoming Season 89 tournament, noting that the remaining student-athletes present during the tragedy were also victims.
The league directed Ateneo to overhaul its athletics program to prioritize athlete safety and supervision.
“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,” the board stated.
“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 league added.
Both Baterbonia and Adili have since been laid to rest in their respective hometowns.