UAAP, inilahad ang desisyon sa Ateneo coaching staff na present sa Aurora tragedy

• The UAAP has barred Ateneo coaching staff who were present during the June 8 tragedy in Aurora
• The move will remain in effect while investigations by various bodies are ongoing
• The league also ordered Ateneo to submit its official findings by July 15, 2026
• The UAAP reiterated its commitment to truth, accountability, and justice for the late Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) has announced that all Ateneo de Manila University coaching staff members who were present during the June 8 incident in Dipaculao, Aurora have been barred from participating in any league-related activities while investigations are ongoing.

In a statement, the UAAP said its Board of Trustees approved the recommendation of the Board of Managing Directors to prohibit the concerned personnel from taking part in any UAAP functions in any capacity, effective immediately.

According to the league, the temporary ban will remain in place pending the outcome of investigations being conducted by government agencies, Ateneo’s independent fact-finding body, and the UAAP itself.

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“This preemptive measure, adopted even prior to the UAAP season, is intended to preserve the integrity of the ongoing inquiry and to ensure full transparency and due process as facts surrounding the incident are being carefully examined,” the statement read.

The league also announced that Ateneo de Manila University has until July 15, 2026 to submit its official findings regarding the tragedy.

The UAAP emphasized that despite differing views and narratives surrounding the incident, it would continue to follow its established rules and procedures in evaluating the actions of the member school and personalities involved.

It stressed that accountability would only be determined after a thorough and impartial investigation.

“The UAAP reiterates that accountability shall be determined based on the results of a thorough and impartial investigation and its fidelity to its own rules and regulations. All those found responsible for any wrongdoing shall be held fully accountable under league regulations,” the statement added.

The league likewise expressed sympathy to the families and loved ones of the late Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili and pledged to honor their memories by strengthening measures that would protect student-athletes in the future.

The two Ateneo Blue Eagles players died during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8. Their passing has sparked grief across the basketball community and prompted multiple investigations aimed at uncovering the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

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The latest decision from the UAAP comes amid continuing efforts by various institutions and government agencies to determine accountability and recommend reforms that could help prevent similar incidents from happening again.

The deaths of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili have left a deep impact on the Philippine basketball community, with tributes pouring in from athletes, coaches, alumni, students, and supporters both here and abroad. Alongside the widespread mourning, many sectors have pushed for a comprehensive investigation to uncover the circumstances behind the tragedy and determine measures that could prevent such incidents from happening again in the future.

Earlier, Kieffer Alas revealed that he and several members of the Ateneo team have been receiving death threats in the aftermath of the deaths of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili. The young players said the accusations circulating online have only intensified the pain they are already experiencing. Sam Reyes also shared that surviving the incident has been emotionally difficult, adding that being blamed by strangers has made the situation even more painful.

In the same interview, Ateneo players Kieffer Alas and Sam Reyes refuted allegations that hazing occurred during the team’s training camp in Dipaculao, Aurora. They explained that the activities were centered on teamwork and camaraderie rather than initiation rites. Alas, a rookie, said he never felt subjected to hazing and instead experienced the camp as an opportunity for the players to become closer as a team.

Source: KAMI.com.gh