Basketball players coached by ex-Tall Blacks coach drown during team-building exercise in Philippines
Wednesday, 10 June 2026
Two Ateneo Blue Eagles basketball players, aged 19 and 21, drowned during a team-building exercise in Aurora, Philippines.
The team is coached by former Tall Blacks coach Tab Baldwin.
Local police say there is no indication of foul play, however authorities have launched investigations into the deaths and the university's athletic programme safety standards.
Two members of a Philippines college basketball team coached by former Tall Blacks coach Tab Baldwin have drowned during a team-building exercise.
Divine Adili, 21, and Rene Baterbonia, 19, of the Ateneo Blue Eagles died during the exercise in Dipaculao, Aurora on Monday, the Ateneo de Manila University confirmed.
“The university extends its heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, teammates, coaches, and loved ones,” it said.
The team’s head coach is Tab Baldwin ONZM, an American Kiwi who was the New Zealand men’s basketball coach between from 2001 to 2006 and guided the Tall Blacks to a historic 4th-place finish at the 2002 FIBA World Championship.
That championship was the Tall Blacks’ finest hour on the international basketball stage. Baldwin was inducted to the NZ Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.
The Philippines Department of Justice has ordered a task force to investigate Adili and Baterbonia’s deaths, while an inquiry into the safety standards at the university’s athletic programme is underway.
However, the Philippine National Police Auroroa Provincial office confirmed there was no indication of foul play, ABS-CBN reported.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that Baldwin has come under scrutiny for his tough, military-style “bootcamps” and beach conditioning weeks, citing former team members.
His camps have also been credited for the team’s success, having won three straight championship titles from 2017 to 2019.
On Monday, Police Regional Office 3 said the 'initial findings indicate that the victims were swimming when they were reportedly carried by a strong current into deeper waters'.
Police Colonel Percival R Pineda said the incident happened about 2.40pm in front of the resort where the Ateneo Blue Eagles were holding their team-building activity, involving around 20 members of the team, including players and coaching staff.
The pair were taken to Aurora Memorial Hospital to be resuscitated but were declared dead on arrival.
Pineda said the group was familiar with the sea conditions in the area, local media reported.
Police also noted lifeguards were on duty at the resort and responded during the emergency.
The Provincial Government of Aurora issued a separate statement on Tuesday, expressing deep sadness over the tragedy and emphasised a focus on safety.
“This tragedy is a solemn reminder for all residents, tourists, resort operators and local authorities that safety must always be given the highest priority,” it added, ABS-CBN reported.
The Ateneo de Manila University said it was committed to caring for the Baterbonia and Adili families.
“We understand the grief, pain, and many questions and concerns that members of our community may be experiencing.
“As we continue to accompany the families, the team, and all those affected, we ask for patience, compassion, and prayers for everyone who is carrying the burden of this loss.”