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Tag: Rene Baterbonia

  • Rene Baterbonia’s teammates leave Ateneo path, commit to La Salle Zobel  

    Rene Baterbonia’s teammates leave Ateneo path, commit to La Salle Zobel  

    The basketball journey that once seemed destined to continue in Ateneo colors is now headed in a different direction.

     

    Several weeks after the tragic passing of teammate and close friend Rene Baterbonia, four of Ateneo de Davao’s most promising young players have officially moved away from their original collegiate path, choosing La Salle Zobel as the next destination in their development.

     

    Head coach Jess Evangelio confirmed that Rhysus Bajenting, Matt Cayetano, JM Sanoria, and Macky Peligrino will join the Junior Archers program after previously committing to Ateneo.

     

    The decision closes one chapter for a group that became synonymous with one of the most successful periods in Ateneo de Davao basketball history.

     

    Together, the quartet helped elevate the program’s profile on the national stage, capturing the 2025 Palarong Pambansa championship, winning gold in the ASEAN School Games, and finishing with a silver medal in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur.

     

    Their rise also came alongside Baterbonia, whose death earlier this month sent shockwaves through the basketball community and deeply affected teammates, coaches, and supporters.

     

    Now, instead of continuing toward Ateneo, the four players will begin a fresh chapter under the La Salle system.

     

    For Evangelio, the move is about more than basketball opportunities.

     

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    “We are truly thankful to La Salle Zobel for opening its doors and providing them with the opportunity to grow not only as athletes, but also as students and young men of character,” Evangelio said in a social media post.

     

    The transfer represents a significant recruiting boost for La Salle Zobel, which gains four players who arrive with championship experience and a track record of success on major stages.

     

    At the same time, it marks a notable shift in the landscape of Philippine grassroots basketball. A group once expected to strengthen Ateneo’s future now finds itself preparing to wear green instead of blue.

     

    As Bajenting, Cayetano, Sanoria, and Peligrino move forward, they carry with them the accomplishments they built in Davao, the lessons from a remarkable run together, and the memory of a teammate whose impact remains part of their story.

     

    Their destination may have changed, but the expectations surrounding one of the country’s most accomplished young basketball cores remain as high as ever.

     

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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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  • TNT carries memories of Divine Adili, Rene Baterbonia in crucial Game four Finals victory 

    TNT carries memories of Divine Adili, Rene Baterbonia in crucial Game four Finals victory 

    For one night, the PBA Finals became about something bigger than momentum, adjustments, or the race to four wins.

     

    Before Jordan Heading discussed his game-high performance in TNT’s season-saving victory over Barangay Ginebra, he first turned his attention to two names that had weighed heavily on the basketball community throughout the week: Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

     

    The reigning champions entered Game 4 carrying more than the pressure of a must-win situation. They also carried grief.

     

    “First of all, I want to take the time to give my love to the families of Rene and Divine,” Heading said after TNT’s 106-98 win Wednesday night at SMART Araneta Coliseum.

     

    “That played heavily on our minds, so I just wanna take the time and give love to their families.”

     

    The emotional tribute came after the Tropang 5G avoided falling into a dangerous 3-1 hole in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals, leveling the series at two games apiece.

     

    Heading delivered one of his finest performances of the conference, finishing with 29 points, six rebounds, and eight assists to help keep TNT’s title defense alive.

     

    But inside the locker room, basketball was not the only thing on the players’ minds.

     

    The tragic deaths of Ateneo student-athletes Adili and Baterbonia during a team-building activity earlier in the week served as a sobering reminder of how quickly life can change.

     

    “Back to the game, it was a big game, and we needed to come out and win this, and that’s really it. We needed to win it,” Heading said.

     

    Yet even as the Tropang 5G battled for survival on the court, their thoughts often drifted elsewhere.

     

    For TNT head coach Chot Reyes, the tragedy felt especially personal.

     

    “Really glad that Jordan brought it up because he’s right, that was something we discussed also as a team yesterday,” Reyes said.

     

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    Unlike many who only knew Adili from afar, Reyes encountered the Ateneo center almost daily.

     

    Both TNT and Ateneo regularly train at the Moro Lorenzo Wellness and Sports Center, creating a familiarity that extended beyond basketball drills and practices.

     

    Over time, simple greetings became part of Reyes’ routine.

     

    Now, their absence is impossible to ignore.

     

    “We see those guys–well, not too much Rene, but Divine. The past two years, we’ve seen them almost every day because we practice in the same facility, we lift weights in the same gym,” Reyes said.

     

    “I don’t know if you saw my Instagram story yesterday, it was really surreal stepping into the Moro Lorenzo court and the gym without Divine’s ‘Good morning, Coach!’ greetings right there.”

     

    The victory allowed TNT to pull even in the championship series, but the emotions surrounding the game extended far beyond the final score.

     

    In a Finals often defined by pressure, rivalries, and championship stakes, Game 4 became a reminder of basketball’s deeper connections — the relationships built inside gyms, the familiar faces seen every day, and the people whose impact remains long after the final buzzer sounds.

     

    For TNT, the win kept a title defense alive.

     

    For Heading, Reyes, and the rest of the Tropang 5G, it was also a chance to honor two young lives that left an imprint on Philippine basketball far greater than any statistic.

     

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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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