UAAP awaits official results of probe into Ateneo drowning incident, will 'go where the evidence leads'

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) said it will “go where the evidence leads” as it awaits the official results of the investigation into the drowning incident that claimed the lives of Ateneo de Manila University basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

UAAP Executive Director Rebo Saguisag said the league is currently coordinating with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and aligning its efforts and resources for now.

“For now, because of the sensitivity of the issue, the requested space, kung saan kami nakalugar internally, UAAP, ano ba ang puwede natin gawin? Organizational muna, if possible, and again aligning with the PSC, with their efforts and all our resources and our collective minds, hopefully we can hand a just solution to this tragic incident,” Saguisag said.

Asked whether the UAAP would impose sanctions on Ateneo, Saguisag said the league would wait for the outcome of the investigation.

“We go where the evidence leads,” he said. “We are now in the process of gathering information, waiting for official reports, and I believe Ateneo has already made a statement as well that they are cooperating with the NBI and CIDG,” he added.

“We cannot pass on judgment this early. Not to trivialize what happened, but again, elementary due process states that everyone should be heard. And the expertise of each agency should be considered.”

Saguisag also said any decision regarding a possible preventive suspension of Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin would, for now, be up to Ateneo.

“Wala namang basketball eh, so there’s nothing to suspend, initially. Whatever preventive suspension, I don’t know whether or not, the institution will do that based on their prerogative.

“As far as we are concerned, the basketball season has not began.”

—JMB, GMA News