PSC to give Baterbonia, Adili families P250,000 each

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Sports Commission is extending its help to the loved ones Ateneo basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili left behind. 

PSC Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio on Wednesday, June 10, announced that the sports agency will give P250,000 each to the families of the two players who died from drowning two days prior during the Blue Eagles’ team building in Dipaculao, Aurora.

“This is help from the government to address the needs of their families,” said Gregorio in Filipino. 

The PSC formed a sports stakeholders’ panel that includes the UAAP, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Commission on Higher Education, and National Youth Commission to support the investigation into the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili.

Baterbonia, Adili, and other Ateneo players, based on initial investigation by the Aurora Police Provincial Office, were in thigh-deep water when they suddenly found themselves in a deeper section and got swept away by strong currents. 

To prevent such incidents in the future, the stakeholders’ panel said it will establish “more robust safety standards, risk management protocols, and emergency response capabilities across all level of sports.” 

“Athletic excellence must be pursued within systems that are safe, accountable, and worthy of public trust. Let the memory of Rene and Divine fuel our resolve to exact accountability where it is due, to protect our athletes, and to make sure that this tragedy never happens again,” the stakeholders said in a statement. 

The panel is also backing House Bill 2631 or the Sports Coaching Act, which seeks to establish a national and multi-sport accreditation system for coaches in the Philippines. 

Under the tutelage of head coach Tab Baldwin, the Blue Eagles have held similar team building activities in Aurora, which — according to former Ateneo standouts — test the players’ will and camaraderie. 

“Coaches wield tremendous influence over the lives and development of athletes. We must do our part to ensure that they are not only empowered to lead, but also educated, trained, and held to standards that promote athlete safety, welfare, and responsible coaching practices,” the stakeholders said.

While the Blue Eagles have regularly staged the team building in Aurora and arguably have yielded results given that Ateneo has won four UAAP championships since Baldwin took over in 2015, Gregorio said the activity is not up to the standards of the PSC. 

“Definitely, that is not in the policy of the Philippine Sports Commisssion. And I’m sure it is not in the policy of the UAAP either. That is not in the policy of the Palarong Pambansa or any of the national sports associations. That is maybe the philosophy of a program that is in place. That is their style and their prerogative,” said Gregorio. 

“But having said that, what is important is now we are given the opportunity to review where the loopholes are in the policies of each agency.” – Rappler.com