Calls have been raised for the Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach to be held accountable after he remained silent on the drowning incident that claimed the lives of two student-athletes.
Filipinos have sought a response from Tab Baldwin, an American-New Zealander coach of Ateneo de Manila University‘s men’s basketball team, who initiated team-building activities for athletes that some have described as “military-style” training.
The annual activity, which usually lasts a week, was introduced by Baldwin when he took over as head coach of the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Baldwin came under scrutiny after past interviews with former Ateneo basketball players resurfaced online following the drowning deaths of two members of his team, 19-year-old Rene Baterbonia and 21-year-old Nigerian student-athlete Divine Adili, on Monday, June 8.
One interview featured Philippine Basketball Association player Mike Nieto, a former Atenean, who said they underwent swimming exercises, early morning drills and sand lunges during his time with the team.
He added that someone from their batch was “saved” by “Coach Tab” after nearly drowning at sea during one of the swimming exercises.
Former Ateneans and basketball players Shaun Ildefonso and Anton Asistio, also described the training as having “military” vibes.
Ildefonso shared that they had to do a “sort of relay” in the water, noting that waves are huge in the Aurora province. Its capital is Baler, which is home to the country’s surfing community.
Similar to Nieto’s experience, Ildefonso and Asistio also said someone “almost” drowned during the water activities.
RELATED: Past accounts of Ateneo players’ ‘military-style’ training resurface amid drowning case
Baldwin has not made a public appearance in the two days since the incident.
Rene and Adili, both members of his team, lost their lives after drowning during the exercises.
Rene was expected to make his debut in UAAP Season 89, while Adili was described as a “promising rookie big man” and a “key contributor” to Ateneo’s impressive start in Season 88.
Authorities said that there was no foul play involved in their deaths, describing the incident as a “natural accident” in which they were carried into deeper waters by strong currents.
Meanwhile, the tragedy has prompted calls for accountability from Baldwin, who has yet to publicly address the incident.
“[Three] days since the incident happened pero wala pa ring statement si Tab Baldwin. Saan ka na?” an online user wrote, garnering 1,500 likes on X (formerly Twitter).
“Nasaan na nga ba si Tab at bakit si Homer Sayson lang kinakausap?” another user wrote, referring to the veteran sports journalist.
“Tab Baldwin, the MBT Management should at least come and explain things to Rene’s family. Mananaghoy ang nanay not until malaman niya ang katotohanan,” a different X user wrote.
Another X user shared a photo of Baldwin with the caption: “FACE THE MEDIA. NOW.”
FACE THE MEDIA. NOW. pic.twitter.com/a2IDgZxGZl
— volleybagan (@volleybagan) June 9, 2026
The post has earned 6,800 likes and more than 980 reposts.
Rovelyn Baterbonia, Rene’s mother, said Baldwin has yet to reach out to her. She also said she was not yet ready to face him.
The matriarch questioned the need for the training to continue given previous incidents in which students had nearly drowned during water exercises.
She said they were told that such activities had been happening since 2017.
The “boot camp” had been cited as one of the reasons for Ateneo’s success during the championship years under Baldwin, particularly by players who took part in Blue Eagles’ run of three consecutive UAAP titles from 2017 to 2019.
Baldwin previously said he adopted that practice from Bear Bryant, a legendary coach in American college football.
Ateneo said that members of the basketball team, together with the coaching staff, returned from Aurora on Tuesday, June 9, and participated in psychological processing and counseling sessions facilitated by the College Guidance Office.
The university added that it remains committed to providing continuing counseling, psychological support and other forms of care for student-athletes, coaches and staff in the days and weeks ahead.
