Screengrab from Ateneo de Manila

Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin has publicly apologized to the families of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, saying he feels he failed in his responsibility to protect the young players entrusted to his care.

In an emotional message released by Ateneo de Manila University, Baldwin spoke directly to the families of the two athletes, expressing deep sorrow, grief, and remorse over their deaths.

The veteran coach said that while the Ateneo community is mourning, the pain experienced by the families is far greater.

“Never again would Renee's mother and father and family, never again would Divine's family be able to talk to their son or touch their son,” Baldwin said.

“Yes, as a coach, I lost my boys too. Never again would I be able to help them develop into the basketball player they wanted to be, to help them grow into the young man that they promised that they could be. But that's insignificant compared to what you families are experiencing.”

Baldwin acknowledged that coaches are not only responsible for developing athletes but also for ensuring their well-being.

“But mostly, as a coach, I'm entrusted by you, the parents, and the families with first and foremost their well-being. And in this, I feel I've failed. And I'm sorry. To the depth of my being, I'm sorry.”

He also recounted the events leading up to the tragedy, describing the activity as a routine training run in water that was believed to be shallow before the situation suddenly became dangerous.

“On that fateful day when we sent the players out for a routine training run in what we thought was shallow water,” Baldwin said, adding that coaches and players did everything they could to ensure everyone returned safely once they realized the danger.

The coach admitted that the incident left him feeling that he had fallen short as a leader, mentor, and friend.

“At that moment, I felt I had failed. I failed as a leader. I felt I had failed as a coach. I certainly felt like I had failed as a friend to Devine and Renee.”

Baldwin said that in the days following the tragedy, prayer has been his source of strength as he continues to grieve alongside the families, teammates, and the broader Ateneo community.

“To pray that the Lord embraces our two boys. To pray that the Lord gives peace, comfort, some sense of sanity to the Barabonia family and the Adeli family,” he said.

He also appealed to the public to continue praying for the families of the two student-athletes.

“Please keep praying. I think that my voice in prayer is hoarse now, but it will never be enough.”

Closing his message, Baldwin extended another apology not only to the families but also to those who feel hurt and disappointed by the tragedy.

“I'm so deeply sorry to not just the families, but everybody that feels let down, somehow betrayed,” he said.

The statement comes as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili during a team activity in Aurora province.