UAAP ‘perpetually’ bans Tab Baldwin, allows Ateneo to compete in Season 89

MENTOR. Head coach Tab Baldwin of the Ateneo Blue Eagles during a UAAP Season 88 men's basketball game. UAAPNICKS_THEGIRLPHOTOG The Ateneo de Manila University escapes suspension a month before Season 89 kicks off as the UAAP punishes former Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin and his coaching staff in relation to the deaths of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili MANILA, Philippines – The UAAP dropped the hammer on Tab Baldwin and spared Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) as it handed down its decision in relation to the deaths of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, paving the way for the Blue Eagles men’s basketball team to see action in the upcoming season. On Friday, August 7, the league announced that the 68-year-old coach has been “perpetually banned” from the UAAP — a severe punishment that took into account the internal investigation of Ateneo and the probes of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the National Bureau of Investigation. Baldwin, who led the Blue Eagles to four UAAP championships, including a three-peat from 2017 to 2019, is barred from taking part in league-related activities in “any coaching, administrative, advisory, or official capacity” and is prohibited from “entering any UAAP competition venue.” “This sanction is final and shall not be appealable,” the UAAP said. Meanwhile, former team manager Epok Quimpo, assistant coaches Dean Castaño, Sandro Soriano, Jon Jacinto, and Hernan Domingo, strength and conditioning coaches CJ Elumba and Grant Dearns, and physical therapist Jerick Rueca have been suspended from participating in all UAAP competitions and related activities in any capacity until further notice by the league board. Furthermore, they are not allowed to enter UAAP competition venues in an official capacity. “This sanction may be appealed to the UAAP board in accordance with its applicable rules and procedures,” the league said. UAAP’s decision came almost exactly two months since Baterbonia, 18, and Adili, 21, died from drowning during a seawater activity that served part of the Blue Eagles’ team building in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8. Noting that the concerned government agencies did not recommend holding the student-athletes present during the incident liable, the UAAP recognized that the remaining players were simply “victims” and allowed Ateneo to continue competing. “In light of these findings, the Ateneo men’s basketball team shall remain eligible to compete in UAAP Season 89, taking into consideration the expressed desire of these student-athletes to honor the memories of their fallen teammates through competition,” the league said. As a precondition for Ateneo’s continued participation in the UAAP, the league has required the school to execute a “comprehensive reassessment of the organizational structure and management of its men’s basketball team in relation to the University’s entire athletics program in order to strengthen student-athlete protection, welfare, accountability, and institutional oversight.” “The UAAP’s approach in imposing these sanctions is both protective and restorative. It is intended to ensure accountability, strengthen safeguards for the welfare and best interests of all student-athletes, address the harm caused by this incident, and reinforce the lessons learned to foster a safer and more responsible environment across the league,” the league said. Hosted by Far Eastern University, Season 89 will kick off on September 12. – Rappler.com How does this make you feel? Loading