FORMER Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga revealed that Blue Eagles players are receiving threats after the tragic deaths of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili on Monday.
Arespacochaga declined to go into detail about the threats, only it only worsens the situation as the players continue to deal with the tragedy that struck the squad after Baterbonia and Adili died during a training camp in Dipaculao, Aurora.
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But with the incident now being investigated by different groups, Arespacochaga hopes that it gives a clearer picture as to what exactly transpired on that fateful Monday afternoon.
“It doesn’t help na with all of what’s happening na crazy. Wag naman po sana. Tigilan niyo naman sana. Wag na kayong mag-te-threat sa mga players. Doesn’t help the situation,” a somber Arespacochaga told reporters after TNT’s 106-98 win over Barangay Ginebra in Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup where he is one of the assistant coaches of the Tropang 5G.
“And I think a lot of people are confused about the information going around. We can’t deny that. Hopefully, medyo may light na with what happened. It’s tragic. No way to describe it,” he added.
Authorities have ruled the incident as an accident after Baterbonia and Adili were “swept away by strong currents.”
Arespacochaga was on the sidelines as the TNT assistant coach on Wednesday during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals. But in the afternoon, he accompanied the Blue Eagles to the wake of Baterbonia at the Arlington Memorial Chapel in Quezon City.
Also spotted were Ateneo athletic director Em Fernandez, and assistant coaches Louie Alas, Dean Castano, Alton Lister, Nico Salva, and RJ Jazul.
Arespacochaga said the players wanted to go to the wake not only to grieve but also give the Baterbonia family the full lowdown on what happened.
“It was very hard, of course,” said Arespachocaga, who dropped the Ateneo job when he was appointed as the Gilas Pilipinas Women U18 coach.
“(They) got back yesterday but they really wanted to visit and at least get to talk to [Baterbonia's] mom and dad and grieve. Medyo mabigat and all. Mahirap din with everything that is happening. The players, medyo traumatize pa at lahat and everything. It’s really hard.”
“Hopefully, nakausap nung a couple of our players ‘yung parents to shed some light on the situation and I think, very important, give them a chance to really grieve then for Rene and vice versa, ‘yung family,” he added.
Arespacochaga admitted he also got a chance to talk to Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin and the coaching staff upon their arrival from Aurora.
“I was able to talk to Coach Tab and the coaches when they arrived, and the team when they arrived. Sometimes, aside from talking, try to just be there for one another. Mahirap. Parang iyak at dasal ang magagawa.
"There are other things na kailangan to attend to… Sometimes you have to do stuff kahit grieving ka rin. I understand ‘yung mga players, what they are going through medyo mabigat talaga.”
Although he is no longer part of Ateneo, Arespacochaga said he is also devastated with the loss since he was part of the staff last season where Adili played in Season 88.
“I’m helping out in any way I can because I was a part and even though officially, I’m not part, in title, these are my fellow coaches, these are my players. Divine is my player. Si Rene is a player of Ateneo de Davao, and supposed to be a player for Ateneo de Manila. It doesn’t make me any better. I’m devastated,” said Arespacochaga.
“I think may mga probes or fact-finding para at least talagang ma-verify what really happened and to shed light. I think the right information is really important,” said Arespacochaga.
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