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| Tab Baldwin has yet to appear and speak up regarding the now-controversial drowning incident involving two Ateneo players. Dennis Acosta (file photo) |
MANILA—Philippine Sports Commission chairman Pato Gregorio has called on Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin to finally show up and clear the air on what happened in the drowning incident that led to the death of his players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
In a statement on Thursday, Gregorio said that the former Gilas Pilipinas chief gaffer should "come forward" already, as the tragedy over the Pacific Ocean remains a hot topic to the point that it has become a national issue more than a simple basketball-related accident.
"Where is Tab Baldwin? Why is he still not speaking up? This is beyond Ateneo. This is a national concern. Out of respect for the family and the Filipino people, he has to come forward," Gregorio said.
The former PBA board chairman and TNT Tropang 5G governor also expressed concerns that the American-Kiwi coach, who has been in the Philippines since 2013, first as active consultant for the said franchise before joining Gilas and later the Blue Eagles, still has little knowledge about the Filipino culture.
"He has been here for (13) years. I don't understand why he can't understand our culture—konting respeto at pakikipagkapwa naman," Gregorio said.
While Ateneo has issued a series of statements updating everyone about the incident, there has still not been a single statement from Baldwin himself.
He has not appeared in person since the Monday night tragedy, as well, although the Blue Eagles attended the wake of Baterbonia on Wednesday at the Arlington Memorial Chapel in Quezon City.
The remains of Baterbonia will be transported to his hometown of Talacogon, Agusan Del Sur on Thursday, and the body is expected to be buried there.
