Philippine basketball lost two of its own on June 8, 2026. Rene Baterbonia, 19, and Divine Adili, 21, members of the Ateneo de Manila University Men’s Basketball Team, drowned during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora — leaving behind families, teammates, and a university community in profound grief. At Juan Sports, we remember who they were and what happened on that devastating afternoon.
Who Were Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili?
Rene Baterbonia was 19 years old, born on May 8, 2007, in Agusan del Sur. Standing 6-foot-4, he was an incoming rookie for the Ateneo Blue Eagles and was training to compete in UAAP Season 89 when he passed away. A product of Ateneo de Davao University, Baterbonia made a name for himself as one of the most promising young players in the country — most notably leading Davao Region to its first-ever Palarong Pambansa basketball championship in December 2025, where he was named MVP. He had just transferred to Manila to enroll in Ateneo de Manila University and begin the next chapter of his basketball career.
Picture from Rene Baterbonia’s Instagram
Divine Adili was 21 years old, born on April 14, 2005. The 6-foot-10 Nigerian was the team’s foreign student-athlete and had been part of the Blue Eagles’ campaign in UAAP Season 88. Although back issues prevented him from completing the season, he recovered and made his presence felt — helping Ateneo break a five-game losing streak upon his return. He was widely regarded as one of the team’s most important pieces heading into the next season.
Picture by Marlo Cueto
Both were young men with bright futures ahead of them — on the court and beyond.
What Happened in Dipaculao, Aurora
On the afternoon of June 8, 2026, the Ateneo Blue Eagles men’s basketball team was in Dipaculao, Aurora for a team-building activity. Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili were among the 18 players present — a mix of rookies and veterans — when the incident occurred.
According to initial findings from the Police Regional Office 3, the two student-athletes were swimming when they were reportedly carried by a strong current into deeper waters. The Dipaculao Municipal Police Station received a call from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office at approximately 3:15 PM, reporting the incident. Responding personnel immediately proceeded to the area and assisted in rescue and investigation efforts.
Both Baterbonia and Adili were rushed to Aurora Memorial Hospital for medical treatment. Despite efforts to revive them, they were declared dead on arrival.
The Philippine National Police has ruled out foul play in connection with the drowning. A witness also came forward to deny circulating reports that the players were made to wear ankle weights or that hazing was involved in any way — claims that authorities have not found evidence to support.
The Response: Ateneo, PSC, and the Sports Community
Ateneo de Manila University was among the first to issue a formal statement, confirming the passing of both student-athletes and expressing the grief felt across the entire university community.
“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 university said. Ateneo also confirmed that support is being extended to the families of both players, as well as to their teammates and other members of the community affected by the tragedy.
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) likewise responded swiftly. PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio announced the formation of a multi-stakeholder fact-finding body to assist the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Department of Justice (DOJ) in coming up with a comprehensive account of the incident. “PSC is not the investigating task force — we are here to help address this concern,” Gregorio said.
The outpouring of condolences from the broader sports community was immediate. Fellow athletes, coaches, and sports organizations across the country took to social media to express their grief and offer prayers to the families of Baterbonia and Adili.
The Investigation: What We Know So Far
Authorities have moved quickly to establish the facts surrounding the deaths of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, and investigations are currently ongoing at multiple levels.
Police Regional Office 3 Regional Director PBGEN Jess Mendez confirmed that responding personnel from the Dipaculao Municipal Police Station acted immediately upon receiving the report of the incident. Initial findings indicate that the victims were swimming when they were reportedly carried by a strong current into deeper waters. Mendez urged the public to refrain from speculation and allow authorities to complete the investigation.
The PSC has formed a fact-finding panel working alongside the PNP and DOJ to produce a full and accurate account of what transpired. PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio confirmed the panel’s mandate is to assist — not replace — the primary investigating bodies.
On the question of hazing, a witness present during the incident told The Manila Times that reports of hazing and claims that players were made to wear ankle weights while swimming were not true. The PNP has similarly found no evidence of foul play at this stage.
As of this writing, the investigation remains ongoing. Further updates are expected as authorities complete their review of the incident.
Final Thoughts
Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili were not just basketball players. They were young men — 19 and 21 years old — who had worked hard to earn their place on one of the country’s most storied collegiate teams, and who had their entire careers and lives ahead of them.
The Philippine sports community has lost two of its own, and the grief felt across Ateneo, the UAAP, and the broader basketball world is a testament to the kind of people they were and the promise they carried.
As investigations continue, what remains certain is this — Rene and Divine deserved better. Their families, teammates, and everyone who believed in them deserve answers. And for now, the least the rest of us can do is remember them.
Leave a Reply