Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Andrea Taguines

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/1781651775938Screen Shot 2026-06-17 at 7.16.00 AM.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Ateneo De Manila University campus in Katipunan, Quezon City in this photo taken on May 26, 2023. <em>Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News/File</em><br/></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Ateneo de Manila University Office of College Athletics (OCA) on Tuesday said it had no role in organizing or approving the men’s basketball team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8, which ended in the tragic drowning of players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.</p><p>OCA representative Benjo Afuang addressed the issue during a town hall meeting at the Katipunan campus after some faculty members and others in the Ateneo community questioned who authorized the training camp and whether it complied with safety and consent protocols for off-campus activities.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/15/admu-president-says-school-reached-out-to-victims-families-after-drowning-incident-1528">Ateneo president says university reached out Baterbonia, Adili families after drowning incident</a></div><p>“What was the role of the university athletics in approving the team-building? The answer is none… It was asked if the university athletics knew about it, if it was brought to them, and if they [sought] approval. The answer is no,” said Afuang, drawing negative reactions from the crowd.</p><p>ABS-CBN News is still trying to get the side of the University Athletics Office, a separate unit from the OCA that handles external aspects of Ateneo’s varsity programs, such as sponsorships and representation in tournaments, while the OCA oversees matters related to student-athletes’ college life.</p><p>Meanwhile, ADMU President Fr. Bobby Yap, SJ clarified that the Blue Eagles basketball team “is owned and managed by Ateneo.”</p><p>This came after the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) said that, based on information it received from the UAO, the basketball team was allegedly operating autonomously and was being independently run by a Smart Communications foundation.</p><p>“So MVP (Manuel V. Pangilinan), the foundation supports it like as a patron but it’s owned by Ateneo,” said Yap, adding that the university will be releasing a more detailed statement soon.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/16/mvp-sports-foundation-says-role-in-ateneo-basketball-limited-to-funding-1240">MVP Sports Foundation says role in Ateneo basketball &#x27;limited to funding&#x27;</a></div><p>Yap said he has received a subpoena from authorities and is set to face investigators on Friday.</p><p>The MVP Sports Foundation also said its role is limited to providing funding for the team and does not extend to managing its programs, athletes, coaching, recruitment, or player development.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>ON POSSIBLY STEPPING DOWN</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Yap was also asked if his conscience tells him that he can remain as President of the institution in the wake of the tragedy.</p><p>He said he has not had time to reflect on the matter.</p><p>“Right now, Divine’s body is still here, we’re still dealing with the Baterbonias, we’re still helping, we’ve been talking to the Adili family… I talked to my provincial, I followed his order. At a certain point, I will face that question, but what I’m saying is I can’t make that dramatic move now because there are so many things going on,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/15/ateneo-says-no-decision-yet-on-possible-uaap-withdrawal-leave-of-absence-1644">Ateneo says no decision yet on possible UAAP withdrawal, leave of absence</a></div><p>Yap also said the university will wait for the results of the independent fact-finding body before deciding on any disciplinary action against officials.</p><p>ADMU earlier accepted the resignations of Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo.</p><p>During the question-and-answer portion, incoming Sanggunian President Jedryc Romero also called for the dismissal of ADMU Marketing and Communications Director Matec Villanueva over what has been described as the university’s poor handling of the crisis and lack of transparency.</p><p>“I think it’s time to consider relieving Ms. Matec Villanueva… Or at the very least, there should be a deep reevaluation of how we should communicate and talk to the community,” he said.</p><p>The suggestion earned applause from the crowd, but officials did not address directly this.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/17/from-team-building-to-tragedy-ateneo-players-recount-ill-fated-aurora-trip-0014">From team-building to tragedy: Ateneo players recount ill-fated Aurora trip</a></div><p>Instead, Yap again apologized for the university’s communications approach, saying they focused more on quietly providing care and assistance to the Baterbonia and Adili families, as well as surviving players, while opting to just release written statements to the public.</p><p>“In hindsight, this was mali… Hindi lang dapat pastoral (care) kasi ang lakas ng social media. Yun pala kailangan sinusuri din natin yan, yung communication, etc,” he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><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/pUlY3SPKz9Y?&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/MnLkD7WG6LA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Ateneo de Manila University Office of College Athletics (OCA) on Tuesday said it had no role in organizing or approving the men’s basketball team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8, which ended in the tragic drowning of players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.</p>

The Ateneo de Manila University Office of College Athletics (OCA) on Tuesday said it had no role in organizing or approving the men’s basketball team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8, which ended in the tragic drowning of players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

Ateneo college athletics office says it did not organize, approve basketball team-building activity

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Ateneo college athletics office says it did not organize, approve basketball team-building activity

Andrea Taguines,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 17, 2026 07:19 AM PHT

Read More:

Ateneo Blue Eagles

Kieffer Alas

Sam Reyes

Rene Baterbonia

Divine Adili

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