Davao grieves as Baterbonia comes home

MANILA, Philippines — “Welcome Home, Mr. MVP!”

Mourners and sympathizers formed long lines yesterday to pay their last respects to Rene Baterbonia, the 18-year-old Ateneo player who, along with Nigerian teammate Divine Adili, died in a drowning incident in the province of Aurora last Monday.

It was under cover of darkness at past 2 a.m. when the private plane carrying the remains of Baterbonia arrived in Davao City from Manila, and was brought to his alma mater, the Ateneo de Davao Senior High School. By mid-morning, people started lining up to honor the talented player and 2025 Palarong Pambansa MVP.

No less than ADDU president Karel San Juan SJ welcomed Baterbonia’s immediate family at the airport. A mass was offered at the campus in honor of the player who gave Davao Region its first Palarong Pambansa title last year.

“You are home, my brother,” said Blue Knights head coach Jess Evangelio, who posted a photo of Baterbonia’s wake at the ADDU Bangkal Campus Christ the King Chapel.

The ADDU set three days of public viewing until Sunday for all fans, friends and relatives of Baterbonia, who is originally from Agusan del Sur. The viewing is open today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Back in Manila, the investigations surrounding the untimely death of Baterbonia and Adili, a 6-foot-9 Nigerian import for Ateneo, continued. The police have ruled out foul play on the tragic incident that happened during a team-building activity.

“Napakasakit isipin na ang lugar na dati nating pinupuntahan para humingi ng gabay at proteksyon bago lumaban ay siya ring lugar na pinuntahan namin ngayon para magpaalam sa’yo,” said Evangelio.