Ateneo's training approach is its own, but not 'standard,' says PSC

“Hell week” and “deadly” were among the words some former Ateneo Blue Eagles used to describe their training camps in Aurora, based on old podcast episodes and online shows that resurfaced following the deaths of players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

While the program may have produced UAAP titles, the recent tragedy has raised questions about how the training camps were conducted.

READ MORE | Ateneo recruit Rene Baterbonia, foreign student athlete Divine Adili die in drowning incident

Asked about the Philippine Sports Commission’s position on such training methods, PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio said they do not conform to established standards.

“Hindi po ‘yan standard, definitely wala po ‘yan sa policy ng Philippine Sports Commission, and I’m sure wala sa policy ‘yan ng UAAP at Palarong Pambansa. Wala ‘yan sa policy ng kahit anong NSA (National Sports Association),” Gregorio said.

(That is not standard, definitely not in the policy of the Philippine Sports Commission, and I'm sure it's not in the policy of the UAAP and Palarong Pambansa. It's not in the policy of any of the NSAs.)

“That is a philosophy of a program that is in place. That is their style and prerogative.”

However, the national sports body said the incident has also highlighted the need to review existing safeguards and determine what measures should be put in place to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

“What is important is now, we are given the opportunity to review, saan ba ang loopholes sa bawat patakaran ng bawat ahensya?” Gregorio said.

(What is important is now, we are given the opportunity to review, where are the loopholes in the policies of each agency?)

“We need this framework and we need these policies moving forward. Hindi talaga pwedeng ipaubaya lang sa kanya-kanyang ‘diskarte’ ‘yung training moving forward. And masakit mang aminin na nangyari ito and now it's a realization amongst us. But rest assured, we will definitely address this situation as soon as possible,” he eventually added.

(We need this framework and we need these policies moving forward. We can no longer leave training up to each program's prerogative moving forward. And it hurts to admit that this happened and now it's a realization among us. But rest assured, we will definitely address this situation as soon as possible.)

‘Wild,’ ‘Hell week’

In a 2022 interview on the "Shoot First Podcast," former Ateneo stars Gian Mamuyac and Tyler Tio were asked about their training camp in Aurora, the same province where Baterbonia and Divine Adili also died during a training activity.

“Walang basketball doon (There was no basketball involved there),” said Tio. While Mamuyac added, “Dagat lang at buhangin (It was just the sea and the sand).”

Both players said that the training tested their mental toughness.

In another podcast interview, former Ateneo player SJ Belangel had the same sentiments on the one week training in Aurora, describing it as a “deadly training.” He also said, “So Coach Tab is not your friend.”

“Parang pipigain ka doon…brings something out in you…And at the same time, utak na lang gumagana, your body hindi na,” Belangel also said.

(It's like you're being squeezed to your limits there—it brings something out of you. At the same time, only your mind keeps functioning; your body no longer does.)

Shaun Ildefonso, who once played for the Ateneo Blue Eagles before moving to National University, said in a past interview: “Hell week talaga, para siyang ‘Survivor’ (It really is a hell week—it's like being on 'Survivor’).”

The Department of Justice has also directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to form a task force to investigate the deaths of the two student-athletes.

The NBI will determine whether there is sufficient basis to recommend the filing of charges before the DOJ.

—reporting by Justin Kenneth Carandang and Vince Angelo Ferreras/JMB, GMA News