ATENEO has accepted the resignation of both men’s basketball head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo in the wake of the Aurora training camp incident that claimed the lives of two Blue Eagles players.
University president Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ, announced the development in a press conference on Monday, citing the need for a change in athletic leadership following a thorough assessment by Ateneo officials.
COLUMN: Tab Baldwin set to resign as Ateneo Blue Eagles coach
"I also must inform everyone that the University has accepted the resignation of Head Coach Thomas Anthony 'Tab' Baldwin effective immediately," Yap said.
"We thank him for the years of service to the Blue Eagles, but as we enter a period of deep institutional review, a change in leadership is necessary to ensure the full integrity of our sports programs and safety protocols."
Quimpo’s resignation soon followed, leaving Ateneo without the two key figures who oversaw the men’s basketball program during one of the most successful periods in its history.
Baldwin led the Blue Eagles to four UAAP championships and helped re-establish Ateneo as one of the country’s premier collegiate basketball programs before the tragedy cast a shadow over his final days with the team.
Despite the departures, Ateneo will not immediately dismantle the rest of its coaching staff. Yap said the university intends to retain the assistant coaches and support personnel, many of whom are also coping with the emotional toll of losing two players.
"Ang nag-resign lang, 'yung dalawa [Baldwin and Quimpo]. In fact, yung assistant coaches, yung coaching staff, tinutulungan din namin. They’re also in the grieving process," Yap said.
"We are providing as much support for them as they grieve this tragedy and we will continue, there’s no revamp of any sort. We will continue and we hope that after a few weeks, they can supervise the practices of the team."
Will Ateneo skip UAAP Season 89?
Questions also remain regarding Ateneo’s participation in future competitions.
The Blue Eagles have already withdrawn from the ongoing FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup, a move Yap said was necessary given the emotional state of the team following the incident.
“‘Yung withdrawal sa Filoil, sana naiintindihan niyo, si Divine, nakaburol pa dito. Our players, isang linggo pa lang dahil sa trauma. In fact, they are in deep grief kaya it doesn’t make sense to let them play,” he said.
As for UAAP Season 89, which starts on September, Yap said no final decision has been reached and will likely hinge on the forthcoming measures undertaken by the league.
“Sa UAAP, wala pa kaming desisyon. Pinag-aaralan pa at wala pa talaga kaming desisyon tungkol du’n. Sa UAAP naman, nagsabi ‘yung board, may statement ang UAAP so susunod kami du’n.”
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