Ateneo de Manila University head coach Tab Baldwin made his first public appearance since the tragic passing of student-athletes Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia by joining players, faculty, and members of the Ateneo community in a candle-lighting vigil held at the university’s Zen Garden.
The gathering was organized to honor the memory of the two basketball players, who lost their lives in a drowning incident in Dipaculao, Aurora. A memorial Mass was also celebrated at the university chapel, where the community offered prayers and paid tribute to the young athletes.
The event marked Baldwin’s first appearance after the tragedy that deeply affected the Philippine basketball community and sparked questions surrounding the circumstances of the incident.
Earlier, Ateneo announced that Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo had voluntarily taken a temporary leave of absence. According to the university, the move aims to preserve the integrity, independence, and fairness of the ongoing investigation while ensuring that everyone involved can cooperate freely and without any actual or perceived influence.