Will the UAAP suspend Ateneo?

MANILA, Philippines – The UAAP on Sunday, June 14, said it will take into account the findings of authorities investigating the deaths of Ateneo basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, and assured the public that it will hand down sanctions if there are “breaches of established protocols, laws, and regulations.”

Since Baterbonia, 18, and Adili, 21, died from drowning during the Blue Eagles’ team building in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8, the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, Commission on Higher Education, and Ateneo de Manila University have launched separate probes looking into the incident. 

“The UAAP is closely following all developments surrounding this tragic incident and carefully reviewing the findings of the ongoing investigations as they come. When completed, all relevant information will be referred to the seven other member schools for a full and fair review,” the league said in a statement.

“As a community of educational institutions, we are committed to learning from this tragedy and working together to strengthen safeguards that protect our student-athletes both on and off the field of play.” 

Throughout its 88-year history, the UAAP has punished erring member schools.

Perhaps the most notable was when the UAAP stripped La Salle of the Green Archers’ men’s basketball championship in Season 67 (2004) and runner-up finish in Season 68 (2005) for fielding two ineligible players, Mark Benitez and Tim Gatchalian, who used spurious documents to enter college. 

The UAAP then suspended La Salle from participating in all sports in Season 69 (2006-07). 

In 2020, the UAAP slapped former UST Growling Tigers head coach Aldin Ayo an indefinite ban for supervising a training camp in his home province of Sorsogon, which violated government health protocols during the pandemic.

Ayo has yet to coach in the UAAP again.

The UAAP dropped the hammer on Adamson University as well, suspending the school for the entire Season 57 (1994-95) after it was found that Soaring Falcons big man Marlou Aquino was ineligible due to academic deficiencies.

Once the investigations on the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili are completed, the UAAP said it will “enforce sanctions in cases where there are breaches of established protocols, laws, and regulations, provided these sanctions are established through due process and in accordance with governance and disciplinary procedures.” 

Moreover, the UAAP plans to review, and possibly, revise existing rules and policies to “further strengthen accountability, enhance student-athlete welfare, and uphold the highest standards of safety” and expand access to protective measures, mental health resources, and support services for student-athletes, coaches, and staff. 

“This difficult moment has reminded us that the care and protection of our student-athletes are paramount. Together, we remain committed to fostering a sporting environment grounded in safety, respect, accountability, and genuine concern for the well-being of every member of the UAAP community,” the league said. – Rappler.com