Baterbonia legacy lives on

MANILA, Philippines — The push to immortalize Rene Clert “Bobet” Baterbonia in Palarong Pambansa is gaining ground.

“Pag-uusapan po sa board,” the Palarong Pambansa secretariat told The STAR, responding to growing calls to name the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award after Baterbonia.

The former Palaro MVP and Ateneo de Davao standout, 18, drowned with teammate Divine Adili, 21, during a team building activity in Aurora last week. His death sparked national outcry, government probes, and an outpouring of grief from the Philippine basketball community.

But beyond justice, fans want tribute.

Baterbonia steered Davao Region to its first-ever Palaro gold in 2025, earning MVP honors. This year, he led them to silver and a Mythical Five spot. He also powered the Philippines to the 2025 ASEAN School Games title with 21 points in the final against Malaysia, and was an NBTC All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year.

“No one will ever wear jersey No. 2 again here at Ateneo de Davao. It will forever belong to you, Bobet,” said ADDU coach Jess Evangelio during Baterbonia’s wake. “You were truly one of one, my brother. There will never be another you.”

ADDU retired his jersey number and renamed its Senior High School courts the “Rene Bobet Baterbonia Covered Courts.” Thousands lined highways from Davao to Talacogon, Agusan del Sur for his homecoming Monday.

Even rivals paid respects. Calabarzon, this year’s Palaro champion led by MVP Ali Mamauag and Finals MVP Dairick Duterte, visited his wake in Quezon City – a testament to his humility on and off the court.

A late-bloomer who only started playing in high school, Baterbonia was bound for Ateneo de Manila, with dreams of the PBA and Gilas. Those dreams drowned in Aurora.