The call emerged during the inaugural meeting of the Sports Stakeholders’ Panel convened in the wake of the tragic deaths of incoming Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes Nigerian Divine Adili and Agusan Del Sur pride Rene Clert Baterbonia.

Both Adili, 21, and Baterbonia, 19, drowned during an open-water training in a secluded beach in Baler, Aurora.

The meeting brought together representatives from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Education (DepEd), Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), and the National Youth Commission (NYC) to discuss immediate and long-term measures aimed at strengthening athlete protection.

While investigations by CHED, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) continue, the stakeholders emphasized that the conversation extends beyond a single incident and underscores the urgent need to improve sports governance across the country.

Central to the panel's recommendations is the recognition that coaches play a critical role in shaping not only the athletic performance but also the safety and overall well-being of athletes.

"Coaches wield tremendous influence over the lives and development of athletes," the panel said in a joint statement. "They must not only be empowered to lead but also be educated, trained, and held to standards that promote athlete safety, welfare, and responsible coaching practices."

To address these concerns, the stakeholders agreed to support the proposed Sports Coaching Act, which seeks to professionalize the coaching profession through mandatory licensing, certification, continuing professional development, and the creation of a national registry of coaches and sports professionals.

The proposed measure, filed as House Bill No. 2631 by Congressman Faustino Michael Carlos Dy III, aims to establish clear standards of competence and accountability among coaches. Stakeholders believe that ensuring coaches possess the necessary knowledge and qualifications will significantly reduce risks and foster safer sporting environments.

Sports officials noted that for many Filipino families, sports represent a pathway to education, personal growth, and social mobility. As such, athlete welfare must remain at the heart of every training program and sporting activity.

Beyond coaching reforms, the panel also committed to developing stronger safety standards, risk management systems, and emergency response protocols across all levels of sport. This includes standardizing safety measures for training programs and enhancing preparedness among sports personnel.

The PSC revealed that it is currently working with Philippine Life Saving, with guidance from Surf Life Saving Australia, to expand water safety education, certification, and emergency preparedness programs for coaches, trainers, and sports officials.

Stakeholders stressed that athletic excellence should never come at the expense of athlete safety.

"The pursuit of excellence must be anchored on systems that are safe, accountable, and worthy of public trust," the panel said.

The group also expressed its deepest sympathies to the families of Adili and Baterbonia, pledging to continue seeking accountability and implementing reforms that will help prevent similar tragedies in the future.

According to the stakeholders, the most fitting tribute to the two student-athletes is to ensure that their loss leads to meaningful and lasting reforms that will create a safer, more responsible sporting environment for future generations of Filipino athletes.

In a statement released on Thursday, June 11, by the GUIDON, the school's official student publication, the educators urged Ateneo President Fr. Roberto C. Yap, S.J., to provide a full and transparent account of the circumstances of the tragic incident. They raised concerns about whether the university observed its regulations and due process during the team-building activity that preceded the deaths.

The faculty members sought answers on several critical issues, including whether they had properly informed parents and guardians about the activity and what safety protocols and risk-management measures were in place to protect the students.

Underscoring the need for accountability, the educators also questioned whether the leaves of absence granted to Head Coach Tab Baldwin and Team Manager Christopher Quimpo were tantamount to preventive suspension, noting that such a measure is considered standard procedure in cases involving serious incidents and ongoing investigations.

The group further demanded clarity on how the university intends to conduct what it has described as an independent and impartial investigation. They stressed that the inquiry must credibly and transparently uncover the truth.

Beyond procedural concerns, the faculty members called for stronger demonstrations of responsibility and remorse from university leaders and members of the coaching staff. They argued that official statements issued through social media have fallen short of conveying the gravity of the loss and the pain endured by the victims' families and the broader Ateneo community.

Calling for justice for Baterbonia and Adili, the educators emphasized that transparency and accountability are essential not only for uncovering the facts but also for restoring trust within the university community.

“We may never fully recover from this tragedy, but we can make their deaths count by providing meaningful and tangible support to the families they left behind and by embracing the painful lessons of this tragedy with collective humility, resolve, and compassion,” the statement concluded.

A total of 12 teams in the under-18 division, 11 in the under-16 division, and 6 in the under-14 division will compete in Season 3, which is expected to showcase the country's future basketball stars.

Led by PSAA President and Founder Fernando Arimado and veteran sportscaster Bill Velasco serving as Commissioner, the league aims to provide exposure to high-level competition for schools that are mostly not members of the country's major collegiate leagues.

"At PSAA, we are not competing with other leagues. Because we stream our games live, coaches find this an eye-opener. We have Under-14, Under-16, and Under-18 divisions, giving players and schools valuable exposure. Most of these schools also have their own mother leagues, so this can serve as a preseason tournament for them," said Arimado during the weekly Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. (TOPS) Usapang Sports Forum on Thursday at the Philippine Sports Commission Media Room.

Arimado added that teams are now preparing more seriously for the upcoming season, allowing players to develop their competitive edge while strengthening camaraderie and chemistry on the court.

"Every game shows how strong the teams have become. They are well-prepared for every match. Someday, we hope to make the PSAA even stronger and bigger, with all teams continuing to be part of the league," he said.

For several coaches, the goal is to double their efforts and improve teamwork in preparation for the new season.

"We've been preparing for the last two months because we also have a 16-under division in the NCAA. We have grassroots programs, and this league is a big opportunity for us to identify players who can move up to the Under-16 level," said Arellano University coach Jesse Mapanao.

"As for our team, our preparation is just begun since our major leagues have recently concluded. We will continue implementing the same system we used last season. This league will help prepare our players for the collegiate level," added De La Salle-Dasmariñas University coach Ryan Dalosa.

Also present at the forum were Coach Christopher dela Cruz of DLSU-D, Coach Joshua Tan of San Felipe Neri Catholic School, Coach Ryan de Ramos of San Sebastian College-Recoletos, and Arvin Faustino of Chiang Kai Shek College. The Philippine Sports Commission, Pocari Sweat, and Behrouz Persian Cuisine supported the forum.

PSAA will also provide significant opportunities beyond basketball. This season, the league will introduce volleyball as well as Game of the Generals, a Filipino-developed esports title being promoted by the ESports World Federation (ESWF).

"The ESWF's involvement in PSAA includes the introduction of esports in Season 3. The ESWF will feature the Filipino-made game Game of the Generals, which began as a board game and which the Department of Science and Technology later helped develop into a digital version. It will be played during Season 3," said ESWF President Arniel Gutierrez.

Basketball champions will also gain entry to a training camp in New Zealand.

The league will stream PSAA games live on its Facebook and YouTube channels, as well as on the Pinoy Extreme cable channel.

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