The MVP Sports Foundation on Tuesday issued a statement clarifying that its role in the Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball program is limited solely to funding.
The clarification came after the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police said in a Monday press briefing that it had learned the Blue Eagles were “being handled” and “autonomous and independently run” by Smart Communications.
CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II said this finding could lead to subpoenas being issued in the coming days for Ateneo president Fr. Bobby Yap, SJ and officials of Smart Communications in connection with the drowning of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
“We learned also from the university athletics office that the Ateneo basketball team is allegedly autonomous and independently run by a foundation. The program planning and funding are being handled by the foundation, which is Smart Communications,” Maj. Gen. Morico said.
In its statement, the MVP Sports Foundation emphasized its limited involvement with the Ateneo basketball program.
“The MVP Sports Foundation has long supported the Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team, along with many other collegiate and national sports campaigns, programs, and athletes, emphasizing that its role is limited to providing funding across all supported sports programs,” the statement of MVPSF president Al Panlilio read.
It also addressed the role of team manager Epok Quimpo.
“Mr. Epok Quimpo is an employee of Smart Communications but has served with the Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team in his own personal capacity over the past decade as an Ateneo alumnus and former member of the team, who was invited by Ateneo to be its team manager. In that engagement, he has always been under the authority and direction of the university and its officials,” Panlilio added.
“The MVP Sports Foundation stands by all it has offered and provided for the development of Filipino athletes and stands with Filipinos in mourning the deaths of Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia, while supporting efforts to surface all truths behind the tragedy, reaching out to their families, and affirming its continuing mission to use sports as a platform for Filipinos to achieve excellence and pursue their dreams.”
Resigned team manager Quimpo was in Guam from June 8 to 10 to support his son in a sports tournament.
The drowning incident in Dipaculao, Aurora, reportedly happened on June 8 during Ateneo’s “team building” activity.
Quimpo then flew back to the Philippines on June 11 to attend to Baterbonia’s wake arrangements, before returning to Guam until June 15 to be with his son, the same sources said.
