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Tag: Ateneo Blue Eagles

  • Kacey Dela Rosa puts championship dream over professional offers as she returns for her final Ateneo season 

    Kacey Dela Rosa puts championship dream over professional offers as she returns for her final Ateneo season 

    For many rising stars, overseas offers signal the next big leap. For Ateneo de Manila University standout Kacey Dela Rosa, winning a UAAP women’s basketball championship before she leaves Katipunan is her goal.


    The two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player has confirmed her decision to return for her fifth and final playing year with the Blue Eagles, choosing unfinished business over early professional opportunities abroad.

     

    After guiding Ateneo from a semifinal exit to a podium finish in UAAP Season 88, Dela Rosa believes the program is close enough to take the next step, but not without one more push.

     

    Unsurprisingly, interest from outside leagues has begun to build around the 22-year-old center, whose size, skill, and versatility have also made her a fixture in both 5-on-5 and 3×3 competitions.

     

    She recently helped Ateneo secure a bronze finish in UAAP 3×3 basketball, further strengthening her reputation as one of the country’s most complete young frontcourt players.

     

    “Siguro, yung motivation ko talaga is yung hindi ko umalis nang walang championship. Kahit yung mga offers, hindi ko na masyadong pinapansin kasi yung Ateneo muna yung focus ko for now,” Dela Rosa said.

     

    Beyond individual accolades, she sees her final season as a chance to leave something more permanent within the Ateneo program.

     

    “Iniisip ko lang din kung anong makaka-help sa Ateneo community and sa teammates ko, gusto ko na parang mag-iwan talaga ako ng mabuti at magandang legacy sa Ateneo,” she said.

     

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    Her impact extends beyond collegiate play. She has also been recognized for her contributions to the Gilas Women program, where she has helped raise the profile of Philippine women’s basketball on the international stage. 

     

    Dela Rosa being honored with a special citation and inclusion in the Women’s Basketball Mythical Five in the recent Collegiate Press Corps Awards further cemented her status among the country’s elite.

     

    Her recent national team stint also coincided with a growing momentum for the program, highlighted by the Philippines’ silver-medal finish in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Division B campaign, a milestone she views as part of a larger upward trend for the sport.

     

    Despite her achievements at both collegiate and international levels, Dela Rosa remains grounded in her goal of finishing her UAAP career on her own terms—with a championship.

     

    “Gusto ko na mag-iwan talaga ako ng magandang legacy sa ating team.”

     

    For Ateneo, her return is more than just a roster boost. It is another chance to turn promise into payoff, anchored by a player who has already accomplished much—but still sees her story as unfinished.

     

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  • PNP eyes possible anti-hazing charges as Ateneo drowning probe nears completion 

    PNP eyes possible anti-hazing charges as Ateneo drowning probe nears completion 

    The investigation into the deaths of Ateneo basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili has entered a new phase, with authorities now openly considering whether the case could result in charges under the Anti-Hazing Law.

     

    More than a week after the tragic drowning incident during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, the focus of the probe is expanding beyond reconstructing what happened on June 8. Investigators are now examining whether elements of the activity itself may have crossed legal boundaries.

     

    Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. revealed on Thursday that the possibility of filing Anti-Hazing Law charges remains on the table as authorities continue piecing together testimonies from players, coaches, staff members, and school officials.

     

    “There’s a possibility that probably there can be an indictment for violation of the Anti-Hazing Law,” Nartatez said.

     

    “That’s why we are investigating. Ang hazing naman, not necessarily physical contact or what — pagka merong emotional, ‘yun, puwede rin.”

     

    The statement signals a significant development in a case that has already prompted widespread calls for accountability from both the Ateneo community and the public.

     

    Over the past several days, current and former members of the Blue Eagles program have appeared before the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) at Camp Crame to provide their accounts of the events surrounding the fatal incident.

     

    Among those who have cooperated with investigators are former Ateneo standouts Mike Nieto, Geo Chiu, and Dom Escobar, along with current players Kieffer Alas, Ian Espinosa, Andrew Bongo, and Shawn Tuano. Assistant coach Sandro Soriano also appeared before investigators on Thursday.

     

    The list of witnesses is expected to grow, with former head coach Tab Baldwin scheduled to provide his statement as authorities continue collecting information from everyone involved in the training camp.

     

    According to Nartatez, investigators are now in the process of comparing testimonies and identifying consistencies and discrepancies among the statements submitted.

     

    “When I checked and nagbigay ng briefing nung Director ng CIDG and the rest of the investigators, ‘di pa nakukumpleto yung group because may mga personal din silang mga trabaho or ginagawa—some are abroad, kaya ‘di pa nakukumpleto,” Nartatez said. “But soon, makukumpleto din sila, including their testimonies, kasi cooperative naman sila. They should cooperate.

     

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    “Basically, pare-parehas lang naman yung sinasabi nila, and, of course, even the minute details ay makikita natin. That’s why we are comparing it to one another — dapat yun maging consistent kasi siyempre, merong student, merong player, merong part of the school, merong yung coach, merong yung staff. So, kukumpletuhin natin, so about eighty percent confirmed.”

     

    As investigators move closer to completing their fact-finding efforts, attention is also shifting toward possible institutional accountability.

     

    Nartatez disclosed that authorities have observed circumstances that could indicate shortcomings within the university’s system of supervision and oversight, although he stopped short of identifying specific individuals or offices that may be held responsible.

     

    The PNP chief likewise confirmed that investigators will soon seek formal statements from the families of Baterbonia and Adili as part of the continuing inquiry.

     

    While no charges have been filed at this stage, authorities believe the investigation is steadily moving toward that point.

     

    “We are leading to that. ‘Di pa natin masasabi, but we are leading to that,” Nartatez said.

     

    “Kailangan pa ng investigation — ‘yan din naman ang sasabihin ng Director. ‘Di pa natin masabi kung with definite numbers, kung sino, at saka anong case.”

     

    With testimonies still being gathered and multiple investigations underway, the case remains far from closed. But for the first time since the tragedy, authorities have publicly acknowledged that potential criminal liability—including possible violations of the Anti-Hazing Law—is now part of the conversation.

     

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  • Ateneo players recall Aurora incident as Jared Bahay, Andrew Bongo, and Ian Espinosa share testimonies 

    Ateneo players recall Aurora incident as Jared Bahay, Andrew Bongo, and Ian Espinosa share testimonies 

    For the first time, surviving members of the Ateneo de Manila University Men’s Basketball Team publicly detailed their experience during the Aurora team-building incident that claimed the lives of teammates Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

     

    Jared Bahay, Ian Espinosa, and Andrew Bongo shared their accounts during a town hall event at the Ateneo campus, recounting how a team activity near the shoreline turned into an emergency situation on June 8.

     

    Bahay said the players entered the activity without their mobile phones after the devices were collected the night before, leaving the team with no way to track time as the camp continued.

     

    Before the activity, the players recalled that former head coach Tab Baldwin asked who among them did not know how to swim. Bahay said Divine Adili was among those who could not swim, while Baterbonia knew how to swim.

     

    The activity involved players jogging in the water near the shoreline as coaches supervised from the beach. However, the conditions changed when stronger waves began pushing the players away from the shore.

     

    “The waves came and we didn’t know that we were being pulled farther out,” Bahay recalled.

    The players said they were later told to move toward shallower waters, but the current made returning difficult.

     

    Espinosa, who was near the front of the group, said he initially did not realize the danger behind him as several teammates began struggling in the water.

     

    “While we were swimming back to the shallow part, we noticed that we were not moving anymore,” Bahay said.

     

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    As the situation worsened, the players tried to assist each other. Espinosa turned back after noticing teammates in trouble and found Kyle Gamber calling for help.

     

    Bahay also recalled facing difficulties himself when his foot cramped while trying to swim back, forcing him to rely on another teammate’s assistance.

     

    When some players finally reached the shore, they realized several teammates were still missing. Bahay described the panic among the group, remembering Kiefer Alas in distress and EJ Kapihe repeatedly saying, “Divine’s gone, bro. Divine’s gone.”

     

    “I thought EJ didn’t see Divine, but in this scenario he already saw Divine floating and he didn’t know how to swim at all,” Bahay said.

     

    According to Bahay, Kapihe attempted to help Adili and bring him back to safety, but Adili was already unconscious.

     

    After understanding the seriousness of the situation, Bahay immediately informed Baldwin, who then looked for assistance.

     

    “Everybody panicked because they didn’t know who was missing,” Bahay said.

     

    Espinosa also shared his memory of seeing Baterbonia during the incident, saying his teammate was swimming breaststroke and calling out.

     

    “Nakita ko si Rene sa likod na (nag-breaststroke at sumisigaw), tapos sinabihan ko na tumalon ka lang,” Espinosa said.

     

    Bahay later recalled that Baterbonia was found floating with purple lips, prompting the coaching staff to perform CPR.

     

    The players said the speed of events left them struggling to understand what was happening. After reaching the shore, some teammates returned to the water area to search for those who had not made it back.

     

    After the incident, 18 players gathered at a swimming pool area where Coach Jon Jacinto Jr. informed them of what happened and allowed them to contact their families.

     

    The players also said Baldwin returned about an hour later after accompanying Adili and Baterbonia to the hospital.

     

    The accounts from Bahay, Bongo, and Espinosa followed the earlier discussion of teammates Kieffer Alas and Sam Reyes during a Let’s Talk podcast with journalist Pia Hontiveros.

     

    The testimonies provided a deeper look into the tragedy as the Ateneo community continues to mourn the loss of two student-athletes. 

     

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  • “It’s Like Going Through Two Deaths”: Ateneo players reveal death threats after tragedy 

    “It’s Like Going Through Two Deaths”: Ateneo players reveal death threats after tragedy 

    As Ateneo continues to grieve the loss of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, some members of the Blue Eagles are now facing another difficult challenge away from the basketball court.

     

    Highly touted rookie Kieffer Alas revealed that he and several teammates have been receiving death threats and hostile messages on social media following the fatal drowning incident that claimed the lives of Baterbonia and Adili during a training camp in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8.

     

    Beyond the grief of losing two teammates, Alas said the players have also been forced to deal with online accusations and speculation linking them to the tragedy.

     

    “There have been comments blaming us and saying we were jealous. It’s painful because we were there, and we lost them too,” Alas shared during an appearance on the Let’s Talk with Pia Hontiveros podcast.

     

    The 19-year-old guard described the experience as another layer of trauma for a team still trying to process what happened.

     

    “It’s like going through two deaths. The first one is losing our two teammates, and now being criticized for their deaths. We lost them; we’ve witnessed it happen. Then, I don’t know every social media person or anybody, they’re just putting the blame on us.”

     

    “I just turned 19. It’s just hard. I didn’t think I would be experiencing this.”

     

    Second-year Blue Eagle Sam Reyes echoed the sentiment, saying the online attacks have only made an already painful situation even harder for the team.

     

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    “It’s just hard, the comments that they’re saying that we’re just jealous that we did it because we’re jealous. It’s just killing us because we’re there and we lost two of our brothers. It’s really painful to survive what happened but it’s also killing us at the same time.”

     

    The emergence of rumors and unverified claims in the days following the tragedy has fueled much of the online backlash directed at the players.

     

    Alas admitted that the lack of available information early in the investigation may have contributed to the spread of speculation on social media. He and Reyes also addressed several circulating claims, denying allegations that players were wearing ankle weights or weight belts during the activity and dismissing suggestions that initiation rites were involved.

     

    While the public continues to search for answers, the players say they are trying to cope with both the emotional weight of losing teammates and the scrutiny that followed.

     

    The incident remains under investigation by multiple agencies, including the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Ateneo de Manila University, and the UAAP. As inquiries continue, the Ateneo players hope the facts surrounding the tragedy will eventually provide clarity and put an end to the speculation that has added to their grief.

     

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  • Ateneo breaks silence, says focus was on grieving families amid growing calls for answers 

    Ateneo breaks silence, says focus was on grieving families amid growing calls for answers 

    For more than a week after the deaths of student-athletes Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia, the loudest criticism directed at Ateneo was not about what it said—but about what it did not.

     

    As investigations into the June 8 drowning tragedy in Dipaculao, Aurora continued, the university largely remained out of the public spotlight. Beyond expressions of sympathy and brief updates, Ateneo offered little explanation while questions, frustrations, and speculation steadily grew.

     

    On Monday, Ateneo president Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ finally addressed that silence.

     

    Rather than framing it as an attempt to avoid scrutiny, Yap said the university deliberately chose a quieter path, believing public communication should not overshadow the grief of the families left behind.

     

    “The few public updates were not because we did not care for the bereaved families. We believed, and continue to believe, that public relations and institutional noise should not intrude upon the families’ grief,” Yap said.

     

    “We are truly sorry for not being quicker in informing the public of developments, which has led to perceptions of inaction. Our focus was on being present for the grieving families during their darkest hour.”

     

    The statement offered the clearest explanation yet for a communication strategy that increasingly came under fire as days passed without substantial public updates from the university.

     

    During that stretch, conversations surrounding the tragedy were shaped largely by family members, friends, former teammates, and observers searching for clarity on what happened during the team-building activity that ended in disaster.

     

    Yap acknowledged that the university’s approach may have unintentionally fueled perceptions that Ateneo was inactive or withholding information. He stressed, however, that the institution’s restraint was heavily influenced by ongoing investigations and legal considerations.

     

    “We ask for your understanding that while we want the truth to come out, the individuals who can shed light on the events of June 8 are also subjects of ongoing investigations by the authorities,” he said.

     

    “We recognize that they have constitutional rights, and we intend to respect those rights. Therefore, we cannot speak on their behalf or compel them to speak at this time.”

     

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    The Ateneo president also emphasized that the university’s decision to exercise its own legal rights should not be interpreted as resistance to accountability.

     

    “Likewise, like everyone else, Ateneo is afforded certain rights under the law. If the university exercises those rights, it is not to delay or mislead, but simply because that is how our legal system works. If it’s eventually found that the university had shortcomings, please be assured that we will address them and make them right,” he added.

     

    Still, the university’s explanation highlights a growing gap between institutional caution and public expectations.

     

    In the days following the tragedy, concerns about communication became increasingly visible. Family members and individuals close to the victims publicly expressed frustration over the lack of information, while calls for transparency intensified.

     

    Statements from Baterbonia’s mother, Rovelyn, and his former high school coach Jess Evangelio underscored how difficult it had become for some stakeholders to reconcile the university’s silence with the need for answers.

     

    As public scrutiny mounted, Ateneo continued to defer key questions involving accountability, supervision, and decision-making to the ongoing investigations being conducted by authorities.

     

    Yap maintained that while the university may not have spoken extensively in public, it had been actively assisting both families behind the scenes through financial and logistical support.

     

    “While we chose not to immediately publicize our actions, our commitment on the ground was immediate and unwavering,” Yap said.

     

    According to the university president, assistance included funeral-related expenses, travel arrangements, accommodations, and other forms of support provided to the families.

     

    At the same time, Yap reiterated that available accounts gathered so far point to the incident being an accident, while recognizing that such a description offers little comfort to those who lost loved ones.

     

    “So far, all available information and accounts regarding what happened on June 8 show that it was a tragic accident. However, we completely understand that for loved ones, the word ‘accident’ is never easy to accept.”

     

    As investigations continue, Yap sought to reassure the public that the university is not attempting to distance itself from responsibility should shortcomings eventually be uncovered.

     

    “The Ateneo de Manila is not evading accountability,” he said.

     

    For now, Ateneo finds itself balancing two difficult realities: supporting grieving families behind closed doors while facing growing demands for transparency in one of the most painful moments in the university’s recent history.

     

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  • Tab Baldwin steps down as Ateneo coach in wake of Baterbonia, Adili tragedy 

    Tab Baldwin steps down as Ateneo coach in wake of Baterbonia, Adili tragedy 

    The most successful chapter in recent Ateneo basketball history has come to an abrupt and painful end.   

     

    One week after the deaths of Blue Eagles players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team-building activity in Aurora, longtime head coach Tab Baldwin officially resigned from his position, closing a tenure that transformed Ateneo into one of the country’s premier collegiate programs.

     

    The university announced Monday that Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo had both stepped down from their posts, with Ateneo accepting their resignations effective immediately.

    The resignations come as the school continues to grapple with the tragedy that shook the entire Ateneo community and placed the basketball program under intense scrutiny.

     

    Baldwin’s departure follows growing calls for accountability after Baterbonia, 18, and Adili, 21, drowned during a team activity in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8.

     

    For many, the resignation represents the first major consequence stemming from an incident that has left players, coaches, families, and supporters searching for answers.

     

    Just days earlier, Baldwin publicly addressed the tragedy for the first time, releasing an emotional video message in which he accepted responsibility for what had happened.

     

    “As a coach, we are entrusted with the growth of our basketball players, the development of these young men into future professionals. But mostly, as a coach, I’m entrusted by you, the parents, and the families, with first and foremost, their well-being. And in this, I feel I failed. And I’m sorry,” said Baldwin in an eight-minute video posted by the school.

     

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    The resignation also came as authorities intensified their investigation into the incident.

     

    On Monday, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) conducted a fact-finding inquiry at Camp Crame. Baldwin did not attend the proceedings, with Ateneo athletics director Emmanuel Fernandez appearing on behalf of the university after being summoned alongside other school and team officials.

     

    While the investigation continues, Baldwin’s exit marks the end of an era that reshaped Ateneo basketball.

     

    When he took over the program in 2015, the Blue Eagles were searching for stability. Over the next decade, Baldwin built one of the most dominant dynasties in UAAP history, steering Ateneo to four championships, including a celebrated three-peat from 2017 to 2019 and another title in 2022.

     

    His teams became known for discipline, player development, and a culture that consistently produced professional and national team talent.

     

    But after years defined by trophies and success, Baldwin’s final days with Ateneo were instead overshadowed by grief.

     

    As the university continues to mourn the loss of Baterbonia and Adili, Ateneo now faces the difficult task of rebuilding a program while carrying the weight of a tragedy that extends far beyond basketball.

     

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  • Ateneo community calls for accountability in open letter following tragic loss of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili 

    Ateneo community calls for accountability in open letter following tragic loss of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili 

    Hundreds of Ateneo de Manila University students and alumni, together with several campus organizations, have jointly called for accountability following the deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team-related activity in Aurora.

     

    The appeal was made public through an open letter released by the Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila, with signatories expressing support for the bereaved families while pressing the university to address broader institutional concerns raised by the incident.

     

    While acknowledging the university’s values and tradition, the letter also raised concern over how Ateneo initially communicated about the incident, with students describing parts of its public response as lacking compassion and sensitivity. 


    “Subalit ang Ateneo po na kilala namin ay nagsisikap na maging mas mabuti, humihingi ng pasensya kapag nagkakamali, at nagpapakumbaba nang may pananagutan.” 

     

    Beyond expressions of grief, the statement evolved into a broader reflection on what accountability means within a university that has long positioned itself as a champion of social responsibility and formation.

     

    “We grew up believing that this was a place that leads the call for accountability, human rights, and justice. A place that teaches us to stand with the poor and vulnerable, to speak when it is difficult, and to act when it matters most.”

     

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    At the center of the appeal are renewed concerns over student-athlete welfare, particularly the conditions and structures surrounding training, bonding activities, and supervision outside formal competition. The letter situates the tragedy within ongoing discussions in collegiate sports about how far athletic programs should push physical and mental limits.

     

    “This raises broader, brutal questions on how athletes are forged into champions — of what lengths the university is willing to push them, at the expense of their safety and well-being.”

     

    Signatories called for a more transparent and collaborative approach moving forward, urging Ateneo to strengthen safeguards for student-athletes, improve oversight of off-campus activities, and work more closely with students in shaping policies that directly affect their welfare.

     

    They also pushed for a more comprehensive pursuit of truth, emphasizing that clarity must come alongside institutional reform rather than after it.

     

    “Mahal namin ang Ateneo. At dahil mahal namin ito, hindi po kami mananahimik.”

     

    The letter closed with an apology directed to the families of Baterbonia and Adili, reflecting a shared sense of loss that has extended beyond the campus community.

     

    “Sa pamilya at mga mahal sa buhay nina Rene at Divine, kasama po ninyo kami sa paghiling na manaig ang katotohanan, katarungan, at panangutan. At bilang parte po ng Ateneo, humihingi po kami ng tawad.”

     

    As the university continues internal reviews of its safety protocols for athletic and extracurricular programs, the situation has become a broader moment of reflection—not only on institutional accountability, but also on the responsibilities involved in shaping and protecting student-athletes within competitive collegiate systems.

     

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  • Coach Tab Baldwin makes first public appearance at Ateneo vigil for Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili 

    Coach Tab Baldwin makes first public appearance at Ateneo vigil for Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili 

    Ateneo de Manila University head coach Tab Baldwin returned to the public eye on Thursday in a quiet but emotional show of solidarity with the Blue Eagles community, following the tragic drowning deaths of players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili in Aurora.


    Rather than attending the wake of Baterbonia, Baldwin was present at a candlelight vigil held inside the Ateneo campus’ Zen Garden, where students, staff, and members of the basketball program gathered in remembrance and prayer.

     

    His appearance marked his first since the incident, though his presence remained deliberately low-profile amid a period of mourning and institutional restraint.

     

    On the same day, Ateneo president Fr. Bobby Yap, SJ confirmed that the university had instructed Baldwin to refrain from giving public statements as official processes continue.

     

    “The University requested that Coach Baldwin refrain from making public statements to allow the official processes to proceed and the facts to be established before any public discussion of the matter,” the statement read.

     

    The directive reflects the university’s broader effort to manage grief and procedure carefully, as Ateneo navigates both the emotional and administrative aftermath of the tragedy that claimed the lives of two student-athletes last Monday.

     

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    Since Tuesday, both Baterbonia and Adili have been at Arlington Memorial Park, though under different arrangements that reflect the complexity of their repatriation and family preparations.

     

    Baterbonia was laid in repose in a chapel, where teammates and members of the Ateneo community were able to pay their respects during a solemn visit on Wednesday evening.

     

    Adili’s remains, meanwhile, were kept in cold storage as arrangements for his eventual transfer to Nigeria have yet to be finalized.

     

    Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo have both taken leaves of absence since the incident, as the Blue Eagles program temporarily steps away from basketball operations to focus on grieving and support for affected families.

     

    On Thursday evening, Baterbonia’s remains began their final journey home to Davao City, where he will be laid to rest surrounded by family and loved ones.

     

    For Adili, final arrangements remain pending, with no official timeline yet released regarding his return to his home country.

     

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  • Sandy Arespacochaga appeals for compassion as grieving Ateneo players face threats after tragedy 

    Sandy Arespacochaga appeals for compassion as grieving Ateneo players face threats after tragedy 

    As Ateneo continues to mourn the loss of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, another burden has emerged for the Blue Eagles to carry.

    Former Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga disclosed on Wednesday that some members of the team have been receiving threats in the aftermath of the tragedy that claimed the lives of the two student-athletes during a training camp in Dipaculao, Aurora.

     

    For Arespacochaga, the situation has become even more painful as players who are already grappling with grief and trauma are now being forced to deal with outside pressure while investigations into the incident remain ongoing.

     

    “It doesn’t help na with all of what’s happening na crazy. Wag naman po sana. Tigilan niyo naman sana. Wag na kayong mag-te-threat sa mga players. Doesn’t help the situation,” Arespacochaga told reporters following TNT’s 106-98 victory over Barangay Ginebra in Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

     

    The veteran coach declined to provide specifics regarding the threats but emphasized that speculation and misinformation have only complicated an already heartbreaking situation for everyone involved.

     

    “And I think a lot of people are confused about the information going around. We can’t deny that. Hopefully, medyo may light na with what happened. It’s tragic. No way to describe it,” he added.

    Authorities have since classified the incident as an accident after reports indicated that Baterbonia and Adili were swept away by strong currents while swimming.

     

    Yet even as official investigations continue, Arespacochaga believes clarity remains crucial—not only for the public but for the families searching for answers.

     

    Earlier in the day, he accompanied several members of the Ateneo community to Baterbonia’s wake at Arlington Memorial Chapel in Quezon City. Ateneo athletic director Em Fernandez, along with assistant coaches Louie Alas, Dean Castano, Alton Lister, Nico Salva, and RJ Jazul, were also present.

     

    According to Arespacochaga, the visit carried a deeper purpose beyond paying respects.

     

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    Many of the players wanted to personally speak with Baterbonia’s family, share what they knew about the events in Aurora, and grieve together during an unimaginably difficult time.

     

    “It was very hard, of course,” said Arespacochaga.

     

    “(They) got back yesterday but they really wanted to visit and at least get to talk to [Baterbonia’s] mom and dad and grieve. Medyo mabigat and all. Mahirap din with everything that is happening. The players, medyo traumatize pa at lahat and everything. It’s really hard.”

     

    “Hopefully, nakausap nung a couple of our players ‘yung parents to shed some light on the situation and I think, very important, give them a chance to really grieve then for Rene and vice versa, ‘yung family,” he added.

     

    Although no longer officially part of Ateneo’s coaching staff after taking over the Gilas Pilipinas Women U18 program, Arespacochaga admitted the tragedy remains deeply personal.

     

    He coached Adili during UAAP Season 88 and had also been looking forward to seeing Baterbonia begin his collegiate career with the Blue Eagles.

     

    “I’m helping out in any way I can because I was a part and even though officially, I’m not part, in title, these are my fellow coaches, these are my players. Divine is my player. Si Rene is a player of Ateneo de Davao, and supposed to be a player for Ateneo de Manila. It doesn’t make me any better. I’m devastated,” said Arespacochaga.


    In the midst of the grief, he urged patience as various probes and fact-finding efforts seek to establish a complete account of what happened.

     

    “I think may mga probes or fact-finding para at least talagang ma-verify what really happened and to shed light. I think the right information is really important,” said Arespacochaga.

     

    For now, the focus remains on supporting a devastated team and two grieving families—while hoping the search for answers is allowed to proceed without adding further pain to those already carrying the weight of loss.

     

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  • Ateneo Basketball mourns loss of Divine Adili, Rene Baterbonia after Aurora tragedy 

    Ateneo Basketball mourns loss of Divine Adili, Rene Baterbonia after Aurora tragedy 

    What was meant to strengthen bonds ahead of a new season instead left the Ateneo basketball community grieving the loss of two young athletes whose journeys were only beginning.

     

    The Ateneo de Manila University community was struck by tragedy on Monday after the school confirmed the deaths of men’s basketball players Divine Adili and Rene Clert Baterbonia following an incident during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.

     

    The deaths have cast a shadow over a program preparing for the future, with one player already carving out a role for the Blue Eagles and another still waiting for his opportunity to make his mark in the UAAP.

     

    “The entire Ateneo community mourns the loss of Rene and Divine. The University extends its heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, teammates, coaches, and loved ones. We ask the community to keep them in their prayers during this most difficult time,” the school wrote.

     

    According to the Police Regional Office 3, initial reports indicated that the two players were swimming when they were reportedly carried by strong currents into deeper waters.

     

    Authorities have since appealed to the public to avoid speculation regarding the incident while the investigation remains ongoing.

     

    For Ateneo, the tragedy represents the loss of two athletes at different stages of their basketball careers but united by a shared dream of representing the Blue Eagles.

     

    Adili, 21, had already begun establishing himself in the collegiate ranks. During UAAP Season 88, he appeared in 11 games and averaged 8.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists, emerging as one of Ateneo’s promising young frontcourt players.

     

    Baterbonia, meanwhile, was still preparing for his first opportunity to suit up in the UAAP. The 19-year-old recently represented Davao in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur and was expected to join Ateneo’s roster for UAAP Season 89 later this year.

     

    Their deaths sent shockwaves throughout the Philippine basketball community, prompting an outpouring of condolences from organizations and individuals across the sport.

     

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    The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas expressed its sympathy and offered support to those affected by the tragedy.

     

    “As the National Sports Association for basketball, the SBP has been in communication with the University’s basketball officials to determine what assistance may be needed, with particular attention given to those most affected by this tragic incident,” the SBP said in a statement.

     

    The University Athletic Association of the Philippines also paid tribute to the two student-athletes.

     

    “Rest in peace, Rene and Divine,” the league wrote.

     

    Beyond the statistics, accolades, and future potential, the tragedy serves as a painful reminder of how quickly lives can change. For Ateneo, the focus now shifts from basketball to mourning two young men remembered not only as athletes, but as teammates, classmates, friends, and members of a community left searching for answers and healing.

     

    As investigations continue, the Philippine basketball world stands united in remembering Divine Adili and Rene Clert Baterbonia, two young lives lost far too soon.

     

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