Ateneo men’s basketball head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Christopher “Epok” Quimpo have resigned as the university continues to face intense scrutiny over the deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili. Ateneo president Fr. Bobby Yap, SJ confirmed the development Monday during a press conference at the university campus.
The resignations come a week after the June 8 drowning incident in Dipaculao, Aurora, which claimed the lives of the two young athletes. Baldwin and Quimpo had earlier been placed on leave while investigations were underway. On the same day their resignations were announced, they were also among those subpoenaed by the PNP-CIDG in connection with the probe, though only their legal representatives appeared at Camp Crame.
Baldwin’s exit ends a decade-long run in Loyola Heights, where he helped turn Ateneo into one of the strongest programs in UAAP basketball. Under his watch, the Blue Eagles made four straight Finals appearances from 2016 to 2019, captured a three-peat from Seasons 80 to 82, and won another title in Season 85 in 2022. But what should have been another rebuilding year for the program has now been overshadowed by tragedy, questions, and public anger.
Before the incident, Ateneo was preparing for UAAP Season 89 with a promising lineup that included Baterbonia and Adili, alongside players like Jared Bahay and Kieffer Alas. Baldwin had even described the team as the most mature Ateneo squad in recent years. Now, the conversation has shifted from basketball to accountability, as the families of the victims continue to demand clearer answers on what happened and why their sons did not come home.