Romwel Anzures

Ateneo de Manila University head coach Tab Baldwin in UAAP Season 88. File photo/UAAP Media.

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781148469984UAAP88 MBB - COACH TAB BALDWIN-1541.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Ateneo de Manila University head coach Tab Baldwin in UAAP Season 88. <em>File photo/UAAP Media.</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) — Ateneo de Manila University announced Thursday afternoon that Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Christopher &quot;Epok&quot; Quimpo are &quot;on leave&quot; as the school conducts its own investigation into the deaths of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.</p><p>Ateneo said the decision was made to &quot;preserve the total integrity, independence, and fairness, and to ensure all participants can cooperate freely without any actual or perceived pressure.&quot;</p><p>This is the first significant move by Ateneo following the drowning incident that occurred on Monday, June 8, in Aurora</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/8/uaap-ateneo-s-adili-baterbonia-pass-away-in-drowning-incident-1959">READ: Ateneo&#x27;s Adili, Baterbonia pass away in drowning incident</a></div><p>Baldwin, a four-time UAAP champion coach during his time in Loyola Heights, has been radio silent since the incident, as public outrage toward him and the school has continued to grow.</p><p>The American-Kiwi mentor was also absent when the players and coaching staff visited Baterbonia’s wake on Wednesday, June 10.</p><p>On Thursday, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick Gregorio called on Baldwin to &quot;<a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/11/psc-chairman-blasts-ateneo-s-tab-baldwin-he-has-to-come-forward-1439">come forward</a>,&quot; while the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) summoned him to present proof of his alien employment permit.  </p><p>Ateneo said it acknowledges the magnitude of the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili, which is why it is conducting its investigation &quot;with the highest standards of fairness, independence, and objectivity&quot; through the inquiry mandated by its Board of Trustees.</p><p>For its part, Ateneo said it is cooperating &quot;fully, transparently, and without reservation&quot; with the investigations currently being conducted by concerned authorities.</p><p>In its latest statement, the school said that based on what they have gathered, &quot;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.&quot;</p><p>&quot;While most of the players managed to fight their way back to safety, Rene and Divine were pulled away,&quot; they added.</p><p>The school stressed that &quot;no weights of any kinds were used during this exercise,&quot; contrary to claims that have been circulating on social media.</p><p>The rescuers who responded to the drowning incident also said Thursday that there were <a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/11/how-rescue-efforts-for-ateneo-s-baterbonia-adili-unfolded-1244">no weights attached to the bodies of the victims</a>, and that they observed no visible injuries on their bodies during recovery.</p><p>The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Department of Justice, and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) are among the numerous bodies already conducting their respective investigations into the incident.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:<span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lrs3Xa4uJg0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong></div>

<p>Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo are “on leave,” the school announced Thursday afternoon.</p>

Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo are “on leave,” the school announced Thursday afternoon.

Ateneo says Baldwin, manager Epok Quimpo ‘on leave’ amid probe into Adili, Baterbonia deaths

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Basketball

Ateneo says Baldwin, manager Epok Quimpo ‘on leave’ amid probe into Adili, Baterbonia deaths

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 11, 2026 03:37 PM PHT

|

Updated June 11, 2026 04:21 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

PBA

UAAP

ABSSports

Ateneo

Ateneo Blue Eagles

Ateneo de Manila University

Rene Baterbonia

Tab Baldwin

Divine Adili

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.