When do expectations drown out precaution?

Kit Brandy Servidad

In the field of sports and athletics, Ateneo University’s name can never be left out — especially at the forefront of collegiate basketball through their famed Blue Eagles team. From producing PBA stars the likes of Baby Dalupan and Francis Arnaiz, as well as holding 14 National College Athletics Association (NCAA) titles, their reputation is not a tall tale. 

But if keeping reputation meant belittling safety, then the integrity of the institution — Ateneo — shall be put into question.

Which is the case for passionate student-athletes — when their talents and ambitions are condemned by unsupervised expectations that exceed precautions, tragedies occur, and unfortunately, that’s what happened to two of their beloved athletes: Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, drowning to their deaths last June 8 in Dipaculao, Aurora, during a recreation activity. “Purely an accident,” it may be; the point still stands: Ateneo became complacent, and their hands are caked in blood.

Possible Charges

Over the course of the incident, Ateneo failed to do what an institution should’ve done in every sanctioned activity off-campus — to be a good and diligent father over its children. 

Carelessness on their part could’ve easily prevented a tragedy. Why was it that it took them 10 minutes to even call for lifeguards? It should also be mentioned that the team ignored the resort’s advice to stay within the immediate area of the compound—the incident happened at least 300 meters from the area’s safe zone.

What’s more questionable is their coach, Tab Baldwin. Being the man responsible for orchestrating recent Blue Eagles victories, as well as his long stint in handling national teams, the realities of his training regimen cannot be left unsaid. On recent resurfaced podcasts and interviews with players, the training can only be described as “military-like”, meant to break the character of his players.  

“It was the worst week of our lives,” former Blue Eagles member Mike Nieto said during a 2017 interview, the time when the team was off to their preseason training. 

The training routine involved random wake-up schedules, restriction of outside contact, and swimming—and no activities related to basketball at all. This raises a question: why were they forced to swim if they’re basketball players? If it is about building endurance, then so be it. But building endurance and commitment should not cause harm at all costs.

Such actions fall under Article No.365 of the Revised Penal Code due to their consistent negligence — reckless imprudence resulting in homicide. Although it was not their intention to kill their athletes, their complacency and risky training born out of high expectations led to Baterbonia and Adili’s demise. 

All that Ateneo and Tab can offer are their apologies and remorse — a PR damage control that can only do too little to mask the recklessness on their part.

Civil Liability

Apart from criminal liability, the institution is also guilty of civil liability as a foster for its students: they have failed to uphold their assurance to the athletes’ parents with regard to their children’s security and safety. Their negligence violates the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)’s Memorandum Order No. 63 that legally binds them to ensuring the safety of their constituents in off-campus activities. 

They failed miserably, and even if they saved face by pledging full scholarships to Baterbonia’s six siblings, the incident had definitely affected the institution’s credibility as a refuge for its students, especially athletes.

When Expectations Overpower Precaution

While it is understandable for such an institution to uphold such a fantastic record in athletics, Ateneo did not recognize the dangers that unsupervised expectations can bring forth. No apology can bring back the two athletes, and no compensation can ever fully repay the effort their parents and families poured into them.

When expectations and unchecked ambition overpower precaution, it can spell blood and the loss of precious life — all for staying at the top of the game.