GMA Logo Rene Baterbonia mother Rovelyn and Coach Tab Baldwin
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Rovelyn Baterbonia rejects Coach Tab Baldwin's apology over Rene's death

By Karen Juliane Crucillo
Published June 13, 2026 5:36 PM PHT
Updated June 13, 2026 6:04 PM PHT

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Rene Baterbonia mother Rovelyn and Coach Tab Baldwin


Rovelyn Baterbonia to Coach Tab Baldwin: "Dili madala sa apologies ang kamatayon sa akong anak (Apologies cannot bring back the death of my child)."

Rovelyn Baterbonia, the mother of the late Ateneo player Rene Baterbonia, turned emotional after Coach Tab Baldwin released his apology statement following Rene's passing.

In a heartbreaking Facebook post, Rovelyn reposted the video of Coach Tab's apology, saying that “apologies cannot bring back the death of my child.”

"I want you to understand exactly what happened and why you say it was just an accident. You said it was just an accident, but you didn't update me when it happened," she said, according to a Google translation.

Feeling devastated over what she initially believed was just an accident, she shared that she did not know at first that her child had already passed away.

"You posted on social media that my child had died, but you didn't send me a picture to prove that my child was really dead," she claimed.

In the comments section, fans and followers extended their condolences to Rene's mother and family.


Recently, Coach Tab admitted that he “failed as a leader and as a coach.” In his full statement, he acknowledged his shortcomings and asked for prayers and unity.

Rene died alongside Divine Adili in a drowning incident during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.

RELATED GALLERY: In Memoriam: Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia's basketball journeys