2 Ateneo players die in drowning incident

MANILA, Philippines — Incoming Ateneo rookie and 2025 Palarong Pambansa MVP Rene Baterbonia from Davao and Nigerian import Divine Adili passed away yesterday in a tragic drowning incident, the Blue Eagles announced yesterday.

The Blue Eagles were in the middle of a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora as part of their stint in the Filoil Preseason Cup and the upcoming UAAP Season 89 when the unfortunate incident happened.

No other details were provided by the school.

The 6-foot-4 Baterbonia was only 19 and just arrived in Manila following his stint with Davao Region during the recent Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur. He was a sought-after player. At least two other schools in Manila tried to recruit him.

Last Saturday, Baterbonia sat behind the bench of Ateneo as it scored a 72-52 debut win against Adamson in the Filoil Preseason Cup.

Adili, a 6-foot-10 foreign student-athlete from Ateneo’s UAAP Season 88 campaign, was 21.

“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,” said Ateneo in a statement. “We ask the community to keep them in their prayers during this most difficult time.”

Ateneo is providing support to the families of the two Blue Eagles as well as their teammates and friends. The wake and funeral arrangements will be announced soon upon consultation with their respective families.

Baterbonia was coming off an illustrious high school career with Ateneo de Davao, steering the Davao Region to its first Palaro title last year as the MVP and Mythical Team member that led to his stardom and later on his recruitment by Ateneo to play in the UAAP.

This year, Baterbonia was named to the Palarong Pambansa Mythical Team even if Davao Region yielded the throne to Calabarzon in Agusan del Sur, where he was treated with a grand homecoming as a native of the Talacogon town.