Tab Baldwin, who coached the Nuggets basketball team in their inaugural season in the NBL in 1990, and Grant Dearns, who played one game for the Otago rugby team in 1988 and is a former Moana Pasifika strength and conditioning coach, could face homicide charges in the Philippines.
Charges may be laid in relation to the drownings of two Ateneo Blue Eagles basketball players from Ateneo de Manila University.
Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili died during a team-building exercise in a northeastern coastal province in June after strong waves swept several players into deeper water.
Baldwin, a former Tall Blacks coach who led the Blue Eagles to four university championships, was put on leave before he resigned as an investigation was launched into what happened.
Filipino state media said charges of homicide and reckless imprudence resulting in homicide had been recommended by justice officials against Baldwin and Dearns.
‘‘The complaints have been referred to the [Department of Justice] for evaluation and appropriate action in accordance with existing legal procedures,’’ Philippine National Police said in a post on social media.
Baldwin coached the Tall Blacks from 2001 to 2006. He is in the New Zealand Basketball Hall of Fame.
He formerly coached the Philippines national side.
Stuff reported it was believed Dearns had since returned to New Zealand, while Baldwin remained in the Philippines.
Others also charged were strength and conditioning coach Caesar Vincent Elumba; assistant coaches Dean Caesar Castano, Sandro Nicholas Soriano and Reynaldo Jacinto jun; student managers Paolo Manuel Adevoso and Andrew Lorenzo Salud; physical therapist John Eric Rueca and utility workers/ball boys Aris Pronce and Joel Rapa. — RNZ/Additional reporting Allied Media
