The Ateneo de Manila University community and the Philippine basketball fraternity continue to mourn the devastating loss of two promising student-athletes following the deaths of men’s basketball players Divine Adili and Rene Clert Baterbonia during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.
The tragedy, which occurred on Monday, June 8, has sent shockwaves across collegiate sports, drawing heartfelt tributes from teammates, coaches, alumni, sports organizations, and basketball fans nationwide. The incident has also sparked renewed discussions about safety protocols during off-court training activities, particularly those conducted in natural environments.
According to the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO-3), initial reports indicated that Adili and Baterbonia were participating in water-based activities when they were reportedly swept away by strong currents into deeper waters. Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and have urged the public to refrain from speculation while fact-finding efforts remain ongoing.
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The heartbreaking event has also prompted veteran coaches and basketball figures to reflect on the role of beach and water-based training in modern conditioning programs. Among those who addressed the issue was former Gilas Pilipinas head coach and current TNT Tropang 5G mentor Chot Reyes, who spoke candidly during an appearance on GMA 7’s Fast Talk with Boy Abunda.
Reyes explained that beach training has long been a staple in basketball conditioning, not only in the Philippines but in various training programs around the world, because of the physical benefits it provides.
“Alam mo, sa sports, not only in basketball, beach training is very effective resistance training. ‘Yung tumatakbo sa bugangin, as against running on regular surfaces. That really promotes stronger footwork, greater cardiovascular endurance. So, maraming gumagawa niyan. We do that. Several times na kami nagpabalik-balik. Difference beaches,” Reyes said.
He emphasized that conditioning methods are carefully integrated into a team’s overall preparation, with different phases designed to build endurance, improve strength, and eventually allow players to recover before competitions.
“There are, in the entire training pedagogy, if you want to call it, there are times where you have to go to really hard training and then there’s a cycle where you have to rest a little bit in preparation for the actual tournament. So there are different means. Water training is not new,” he added.
Drawing from decades of coaching experience, Reyes revealed that he had incorporated water-based exercises into his own programs as early as his first coaching stint in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). However, he stressed that safety has always been a top priority whenever his teams conducted outdoor training sessions.
According to Reyes, his teams limited water activities to shallow areas, using knee-deep water strictly as a form of resistance during conditioning drills rather than for swimming exercises.
“Sa akin, we have done a lot of activities in beach areas. Sa akin, my teams, we just limit them to running sa buhangin. Not really going into the water. And they were not swimming or, you know, panglangoy kasi sa dami, hindi naman sila swimmer. But it was just that they were, the objective was to put them in knee-deep water to provide more resistance to the activities, whatever, the calisthenics or the activity that they were doing.
“So it’s always a combination of doing those activities. We call that, you create shared memories. That’s how teams are built,” Reyes concluded.
Beyond the physical benefits, Reyes underscored the importance of team-building activities in fostering trust, camaraderie, and chemistry among players—qualities that often translate into stronger performances on the court. He noted that shared experiences outside of basketball can help build the bonds that successful teams rely upon throughout a long and demanding season.
Following the incident, Ateneo de Manila University issued an official statement confirming that the Blue Eagles were conducting a strength and conditioning session in knee-deep water as part of their scheduled team-building program. The university said the players were unexpectedly caught by large waves and powerful currents, resulting in the tragic accident.
As investigations continue, the loss of Adili and Baterbonia has left an immeasurable void within the Ateneo community and Philippine collegiate basketball. Their passing has prompted an outpouring of condolences from schools, athletic organizations, former players, and coaches, while also encouraging renewed conversations about risk assessment, emergency preparedness, and safety measures during outdoor training sessions.
For many in the local basketball community, the tragedy serves as a sobering reminder that while innovative training methods and team-building exercises remain valuable components of athlete development, ensuring the safety and well-being of student-athletes must always remain the highest priority.
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na conference?! Kita-kits! 
(@Lucky_bounc3) 
