MVP Sports Foundation denies managing Ateneo team, says it only funds Blue Eagles

The MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF) clarified Tuesday it does not own or manage the Ateneo de Manila University men's basketball team, a day after the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said Smart Communications officials would be subpoenaed in its probe into the deaths of two student-athletes.

In a statement, MVPSF president Alfredo Panlilio said the foundation's role is limited to providing funding for the Ateneo Blue Eagles, and does not extend to the management of the team's programs, athletes, coaching, recruitment, or player development.

"As with all of the sports programs we support, the MVPSF's role is limited to providing funding. The foundation does not own or manage the Ateneo Men's Basketball Team," he said.

Panlilio also clarified that Epok Quimpo, an employee of Smart Communications, served as the team manager of the Ateneo men's basketball team in a personal capacity as an Ateneo alumnus and former player after being invited by the university.

"In that engagement, he has always been under the authority and direction of the University and its officials," he said.

The MVPSF is the sports initiative arm of the MVP Group, led by Panlilio and with magnate Manuel V. Pangilinan as its chairman.

The MVPSF statement comes after CIDG director Police Major General Alexander Morico II on Monday said Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) president Fr. Roberto "Bobby" Yap SJ and officials of Smart Communications will be subpoenaed over the drowning of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

Baterbonia, an 18-year-old basketball standout, was a 6-foot-4 recruit coming off a runner-up finish with the Davao Region team in the 2026 Palaraong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur.

Meanwhile, the 21-year-old Adili was a foreign student who served as Ateneo's reinforcement in Season 88 where the Blue Eagles finished with a 6-8 card. They both drowned on June 8 during a team building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.

"The MVP Sports Foundation stands by all it has offered and provided for the development of Filipino athletes. And we stand with all Filipinos not only in mourning the deaths of Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia, but in working to surface all truths behind this tragedy, reaching out to their families, and affirming our continuing Mission to use sports as a platform for Filipinos to achieve excellence and pursue their dreams," Panlilio said.

Quimpo and ADMU men's basketball team head coach Tab Baldwin have since submitted their resignations from the team, which the university accepted.

For its part, ADMU said an independent fact-finding body has already been formed to investigate the deaths, with the findings set to be submitted directly to the university's board of trustees.

"Ateneo de Manila is not evading accountability. For full clarity, transparency, and justice, our board of trustees formed an independent fact-finding body," Yap said Monday.

"While we choose not to immediately broadcast our actions, our commitment on the ground was immediate and full. From day one, the university reached out to provide full support to the families," he said. — VDV, GMA News