Rowegie Abanto

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Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin. UAAP Media

Michael Delizo

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/1781157904877UAAP 88 MBB AdU vs. ADMU- Tab Baldwin-7935.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin. <em>UAAP Media</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Ateneo Men&#x27;s Basketball Team Head Coach Tab Baldwin was unable to respond to investigators&#x27; questions following the fatal team-building activity at a resort in Dipaculao, Aurora, earlier this week, as he was in a state of shock, police said Thursday.</p><p>Aurora police chief Col. Percival Pineda said Baldwin, an American-New Zealand national, instead sent coaching staff members Reynaldo Jacinto and Dean Castaño to the police station to provide statements.</p><p>“Tina-try po [siyang] makausap ng imbestigador natin pero dahil under a state of shock, hindi po siya makausap,” Pineda told reporters during a telephone conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/11/nbi-reviewing-no-foul-play-finding-in-baterbonia-adili-deaths-1312">NBI reviewing ‘no foul play’ finding in Baterbonia, Adili deaths</a></div><p>Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili were<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/6/11/what-is-a-rip-current-1151"> swept away by waves</a> while walking in waist-deep water, an activity that Pineda said was described by the coaching staff as part of a “training.”</p><p>They were found unconscious after over 30 minutes of searching and were declared dead on arrival at a hospital.</p><p>A post-mortem examination later found that the two student-athletes died of “asphyxia by drowning.”</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/11/dole-summons-ateneo-s-tab-baldwin-over-employment-permit-1319">DOLE summons Ateneo’s Tab Baldwin over employment permit</a></div><p>“Training ang sinabi ng coaching staff,” Pineda said, adding that investigators have yet to determine the specific nature of the training. It also remains unclear who was leading the activity.</p><p>Baldwin was appointed as head coach of the Ateneo Blue Eagles in 2015. In September 2025, he signed a contract extension with Ateneo &quot;for at least three more years.&quot;</p><p>Pineda earlier said the team had requested privacy for the activity.</p><p>“&#x27;Yon pong team ay humiling sila na huwag silang pakialaman sa gagawin nilang activity,” Pineda said during an earlier video conference.</p><p>The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group is expected to obtain statements from other members of the basketball team, who have since returned to Manila. </p><div><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">Rescue leader recounts efforts to save Ateneo&#x27;s Baterbonia, Adili</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1nPBcJTNAGY?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lWpwLjxQfiI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N4jFIGa2jD4?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Police on Thursday said Ateneo Men's Basketball Team Head Coach Tab Baldwin was unable to respond to investigators' questions following the fatal team-building activity at a resort in Dipaculao, Aurora, as he was in a state of shock.</p>

Police on Thursday said Ateneo Men's Basketball Team Head Coach Tab Baldwin was unable to respond to investigators' questions following the fatal team-building activity at a resort in Dipaculao, Aurora, as he was in a state of shock.

Police: Ateneo's Baldwin in shock, unable to talk to probers after drowning of two players

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Police: Ateneo's Baldwin in shock, unable to talk to probers after drowning of two players

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 11, 2026 02:10 PM PHT

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Updated June 11, 2026 02:13 PM PHT

Read More:

Tab Baldwin

Rene Baterbonia

Divine Adili

Ateneo

Drowning

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