Baldwin says sorry to families, admits failure

Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin finally broke his silence after the tragic accident that claimed the lives of two of his players during a team-building activity at a beach in Dipaculao, Aurora last Monday.

- By JOHN BRYAN ULANDAY

In a recorded video message, Baldwin, his voice cracking, apologized to the families of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, who drowned due to the strong water current. "As a coach, we are entrusted with the growth of our basketball players, the development of these young men into future professionals. But mostly, as a coach, I'm entrusted by you, the parents and the families, with first and foremost, their well-being.

And in this, I feel I've failed.

And I'm sorry. To the depth of my being, I'm sorry," said Baldwin.

"I failed as a leader. I felt I had failed as a coach. I certainly felt like I had failed as a friend to Divine and Rene," he said.