By el Amigo
MANILA — Ateneo de Manila University will remain in the UAAP men’s basketball competition for Season 89, but the Blue Eagles will begin the new campaign without longtime coach Tab Baldwin, who has been permanently barred from the league.
The UAAP Board announced that Baldwin is “perpetually banned” from all UAAP competitions and related activities. The prohibition covers coaching, administrative, advisory and other official roles, and also prevents him from entering UAAP competition venues. The league said the decision is final and cannot be appealed.
The ruling came after the UAAP reviewed the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Ateneo players Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili, who drowned during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8.
Several other Ateneo basketball personnel were also suspended indefinitely, including former team manager Christopher John “Epok” Quimpo, assistant coaches and members of the team’s support staff. Their suspensions remain in effect pending further action by the UAAP Board.
Despite the sanctions imposed on the program’s officials, the league opted not to punish the Ateneo players through a season suspension. The UAAP said the student-athletes present during the incident were victims of the tragedy and noted that government investigations did not recommend holding them responsible.
Ateneo’s continued participation, however, comes with conditions. The university has been directed to conduct a comprehensive review of the organization and management of its men’s basketball program, particularly its relationship with the broader athletics structure.
The league said the reassessment is intended to improve student-athlete safety, welfare, accountability and institutional supervision.
The Blue Eagles are expected to enter Season 89 under an interim leadership setup, with Louie Alas taking over as interim head coach and former Ateneo player Nico Salva serving as interim team manager.
With Ateneo cleared to compete, the UAAP will retain its eight-team men’s basketball field when Season 89 opens on September 12.
For the Blue Eagles, however, the upcoming season represents more than a fresh campaign—it marks the beginning of a major rebuilding period for a program undergoing sweeping changes in leadership, structure and oversight.
elamigo/xf
