Video summary

Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles Kieffer Alas and Sam Reyes speak up

Main summary

Key takeaways

News and Commentary

Ateneo Blue Eagles Training Camp Tragedy: Kefir Alas and Sam Reyes Speak Out

Context and purpose of the talk

The episode addresses the June 7 Aurora (training camp) incident that left two Ateneo players dead: Renee “Renee” Berbonia and Divine “Divi” Adili.

The hosts say that mistruths, despair, and silence from Ateneo followed—prompting Kieffer Alas and Sam Reyes to finally share their accounts on June 15.

Training preparations and safety briefings (as recalled by the players)

They describe camp preparation and safety discussions that, in their recollection, included:

  • Safety warnings They say Coach Tab warned them about rip currents/tides and uneven sand, and discussed how to respond.

  • Training gear and expectations Players were told to pack training gear (running shoes, shorts/socks, training shirts, etc.). They expected team-building/mental toughness, not anything framed as “initiation rights.”

  • Clarification on hazing/initiation They insist there was no hazing or initiation—no “harder treatment” for rookies beyond normal team duties like:

    • helping carry equipment
    • table setting
    • dishwashing

  • Parent consent (as they understand it) They recall parent consent, though they’re unsure of the precise type of formal consent.

  • Phone handling and camp activities They describe phones being collected during dinner time, and recall multiple coached activities including:

    • group sessions
    • memorizing the team song
    • dodgeball
    • beach-related conditioning

What they say happened on June 8 (the drowning incident)

Morning activities and the main water-based exercise

They report that morning activities included a run and basic meal routines, followed by beach water conditioning.

The key exercise, as they remember it, involved:

  • Mirroring a coach walking along the shoreline
  • Water starting around thigh-deep
  • They believed it would be controlled and brief—described as under a minute before waves became larger

Escalation and panic

  • They report waves were bigger than usual, though not initially alarming.
  • After the second wave, teammate Kyle Gamber reportedly began screaming “help” after being separated and swept farther seaward.
  • As waves continued, they say the group panicked, tried to move back toward shore, and some players were pulled into deeper water.

Kieffer’s account (as described)

Kieffer’s description includes:

  • attempts to help teammates
  • being overwhelmed/panicked
  • screaming for help
  • surviving by reaching shallower sand and then swimming/treading back

Sam’s account (as described)

Sam describes:

  • swimming toward shore with others
  • losing sight of some teammates
  • regrouping only after rescuers/coaches and teammates got closer

Rescue and immediate response (as they recall)

They say that initially there were no first responders on scene, other than:

  • resort security
  • a lifeguard

They also state the team relied on available lifeguard/resort help plus team members.

Key points they mention include:

  • Life-saving tools They cite a surfboard and say volleyballs were used as floatation aids.

  • Denial of ankle weights They deny ankle weights/weight belts were used.

  • Coach involvement They describe Coach Tab and coaches entering to assist, including using a surfboard, while players helped carry/aide teammates onto shore.

  • CPR and EMS details (as remembered) They say CPR was attempted on the beach. They also distinguish what they believe they heard/observed regarding pulse and transport timing, including mention of a police vehicle (not a standard ambulance) during at least one transport phase.

  • Recovery taking time They describe the rescue/recovery as following a significant struggle, with some teammates reportedly found later (not all simultaneously).

Addressing rumors and misinformation

Direct denial of specific claims

  • No weights, no hazing They directly contradict online claims that ankle weights/weight belts were used and reiterate no initiation/hazing.

Clarifying severity narratives

  • No immediate “critical condition” for everyone They say rumors about widespread critical condition were exaggerated, framing the situation as severe—especially for the two victims.

Pushback against blaming narratives

  • They reject online narratives that blame the players for the tragedy or allege wrongdoing.

Social media backlash and the silence issue

What they experienced online

They describe receiving:

  • hate
  • speculation
  • even death threats

Why they believe it escalated

They attribute much of the hostility to lack of timely, transparent information from the university early on—leading people to “guess” from footage and posts.

Speaking discouragement (not a gag order)

They say they were not officially gagged, but were discouraged from speaking publicly while they processed trauma and while information remained unclear.

Support after the incident

They mention they later received counseling/group support, including:

  • a reference to a Center for Family Ministries counseling center
  • sessions with guidance counselors/psychologist

Fact-finding and administrative accountability

They say that after returning to Manila, there was some form of:

  • consultation/counseling
  • fact-finding questioning

They do not claim complete clarity on the full scope of ongoing institutional processes.

Coach Tab Baldwin’s resignation

They also comment on the later development that Coach Tab Baldwin’s resignation was announced on June 15, adding that it hasn’t fully “sunk in” due to trauma. They say they don’t yet know who will replace leadership.

What they say about the future

  • They express a desire to return to basketball in time, but emphasize the need for mental and emotional recovery.
  • Sam says he wants to dedicate the season to the brothers they lost, even while acknowledging calls for the team to withdraw or pause—arguing they may still face backlash either way.

Key contributors/presenters mentioned (as named in the subtitles)

  • Piaiveros (host)
  • Kieffer Alas (guest/player)
  • Sam Reyes (guest/player)
  • Coach Tab / Tab Baldwin (referenced)
  • Assistant Coach Sandra Serano (referenced)
  • Dean Castano (referenced)
  • John Hassinto (referenced)
  • CJ Elumba / CJ Alumba (strength and conditioning coach; referenced)
  • Jerick (physical trainer; referenced)
  • Student managers: Drew Salude and Pa Adivos (referenced)
  • Coach Sandra (referenced)
  • Coach Dean (referenced)
  • Coach John (referenced)
  • Coach Jess (referenced)
  • Father Bobby Yap (mentioned)
  • Counseling/Guidance: Center for Family Ministries (referenced)
  • Present in prior/rescue context: resort lifeguard/security guard (not individually named in subtitles)

Original video