Ateneo, inilahad ang testimony ng team members ukol sa trahedya; Coach Tab, pinag-leave
- Ateneo de Manila University has released a new statement regarding the deaths of Blue Eagles players Rene Baterbonia and Chukwuemeka Divine Adili
- The university said the two athletes were pulled away by massive waves and a powerful rip current during a conditioning exercise in knee-deep water
- Ateneo categorically denied online claims that weights were used during the activity
- The university has launched an independent fact-finding inquiry while Head Coach Tab Baldwin and Team Manager Epok Quimpo have gone on leave during the investigation
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Ateneo de Manila University on June 11 released a detailed update regarding the tragic deaths of Blue Eagles basketball players Rene Clert Baterbonia and Chukwuemeka Divine Adili, emphasizing its commitment to uncovering the truth while continuing to support the grieving families.
Source: Facebook
In a statement signed by University President Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ, Ateneo said the entire community remains united in mourning the loss of the two student-athletes.
“The Ateneo de Manila University community continues to bear the profound weight and sorrow of losing two of our own: student-athletes Rene Clert Baterbonia and Chukwuemeka Divine Adili,” the statement read.
The university said its immediate priority remains providing material, emotional, and pastoral support to the families of the two young men, as well as to teammates and others affected by the tragedy.
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For the first time since the incident, Ateneo also shared details of what it said had been gathered from individuals who were present during the activity.
According to the university, the team was participating in a conditioning exercise near the shoreline on June 8 when the tragedy occurred.
“Based on what we have gathered from those present, on Monday, 8 June 2026, the team was engaged in a conditioning exercise in knee-deep water near the shoreline when they were suddenly engulfed by massive waves and a powerful rip current,” Ateneo stated.
The university added that while most of the players were able to make their way back to safety, Baterbonia and Adili were carried away by the water.
“While most of the players managed to fight their way back to safety, Rene and Divine were pulled away.”
Ateneo also directly addressed online speculation that had circulated in recent days regarding the alleged use of weights during the exercise.
“We state categorically, to protect the dignity of our fallen players, that no weights of any kind were used during this exercise,” the university said.
The statement comes amid widespread social media discussions and rumors following the incident.
Ateneo further announced that its Board of Trustees has ordered an independent fact-finding inquiry to ensure accountability and transparency.
According to the university, the investigation will comprehensively examine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, reconstruct a timeline of events, review athletic protocols, and gather statements from all individuals present.
“This inquiry will exhaustively examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, reconstruct a transparent timeline, review all athletic protocols, and interview every individual present,” the statement said.
The findings will be submitted directly to the Board of Trustees for appropriate action.
To preserve the independence and integrity of the investigation, Ateneo announced that Head Coach Thomas Anthony “Tab” Baldwin and Team Manager Christopher “Epok” Quimpo have both gone on leave for the duration of the inquiry.
The university emphasized that the move was intended to ensure fairness and allow all participants to cooperate freely without pressure or influence.
Ateneo also assured the public that it is fully cooperating with investigations being conducted by national authorities and other competent bodies.
“We ask our community for their continued prayers as we navigate this dark chapter,” the university said.
The deaths of Baterbonia, 19, and Adili, 21, have deeply affected the Philippine basketball community, with tributes continuing to pour in from athletes, coaches, students, alumni, and supporters across the country and abroad.
Earlier, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Manila issued an official statement regarding the death of Chukwuemeka Divine Adili, one of the two Ateneo players who died during the June 8 incident in Dipaculao, Aurora. The embassy expressed condolences to Adili’s family, friends, teammates, and the wider Nigerian community. It also revealed that it has been coordinating with the family, Ateneo de Manila University, and Philippine authorities while extending consular assistance and support during the ongoing investigation and repatriation process.
Following the tragedy, Rene Baterbonia’s former high school basketball coach, Jess Evangelio, publicly addressed viral claims that Baterbonia and Adili had been swimming while wearing ankle weights during the team-building activity. Evangelio said he personally consulted members of the coaching staff and was informed that no weights were used. Police authorities later issued a similar clarification, stating that statements Ateneo, inilahad ang testimony ng team members ukol sa trahedya; Coach Tab, pinag-leave by investigators did not support the allegation and that no evidence had emerged indicating the use of weights during the exercise.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
