Kieffer Alas shares his account of the tragedy.
Kieffer Alas denied claims that the Ateneo training camp in Aurora served as an initiation rite for new members of the team.
Ateneo de Manila University’s Kieffer Alas has shared his account on the team-building trip in Dipaculao, Aurora, that led to the deaths of Divine Adili and Rene Clert Baterbonia.
Alas, an incoming rookie, has shared his side of the story on the Let’s Talk with Pia Hontiveros podcast. He recalled the harrowing experience that also claimed the lives of most players.
According to him, they were instructed by assistant coach Dean Castaño to line up in thigh-deep water for an exercise when a series of waves, described by Reyes as “bigger than us,” swept them away from the shore.
“Naka-bearhug na kami to each other to try and float, kaso it wasn’t working. We just went down and down and down. We just let go of each other, tapos I went up for some air tapos I was so far from everybody. I really don’t know how to swim po,” Alas said.
However, Alas said the team had already been briefed about the strong currents at the resort before the trip. He recalled that head coach Tab Baldwin spent considerable time discussing water safety and warning players about the area’s uneven seabed.
According to Alas, Baldwin reminded them that the sand level could suddenly change, causing swimmers to unexpectedly move into deeper water. The coach also advised players to swim parallel to the shoreline if caught in a rip current.
He also clarified that there was no hazing involved at all in their boot camp. As per him, it was meant to be a routine training session to strengthen the Blue Eagles’ chemistry and “mental toughness” as they head into UAAP Season 88.
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