ATENEO de Manila University men’s basketball team head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Christopher “Epok” Quimpo have both resigned amid the ongoing investigation into the deaths of players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
The development was announced by Ateneo president Fr. Bobby Yap during a press conference held on the university campus on Monday.
Prior to their resignations, Baldwin and Quimpo had been officially placed on leave following the tragedy in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8, where Baterbonia and Adili drowned and lost their lives.
Both Baldwin and Quimpo were among those subpoenaed by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on Monday as part of the continuing investigation into the incident.
However, neither appeared before investigators, with only their legal representatives attending the proceedings.
Baldwin’s resignation marks the end of his 10-year tenure as head coach of the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Under his leadership, the team reached four consecutive UAAP Finals appearances from 2016 to 2019 and captured three straight championships in Seasons 80 to 82 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
His most recent title with Ateneo came in UAAP Season 85 in December 2022.
Since then, the Blue Eagles have reached the Final Four only once, during Season 86 in 2023, before entering a rebuilding phase over the succeeding years.
Aside from his successful stint with Ateneo, Baldwin also served as head coach of Gilas Pilipinas and later worked as an assistant coach and consultant for Talk ‘N Text Tropang 5G in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Before the tragedy, Baldwin had expressed confidence in Ateneo’s prospects for UAAP Season 89, with Baterbonia and Adili expected to play key roles alongside veteran guard Jared Bahay and top recruit Kieffer Alas.
The resignations come as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two student-athletes, a case that has drawn widespread public attention and scrutiny.
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