Ateneo Requests Autopsy for Baterbonia as Adili's Remains to be Returned to Nigeria

Ateneo Mourns Tragic Loss of Two Players in Drowning Incident

The single most pressing fact is that two students from the Ateneo basketball team, Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, drowned during a team-building activity at a private resort in Dipaculao, Aurora, on Monday, June 8.

Ateneo, the premier basketball team of the Philippines, was left reeling when two of their players died in a tragic drowning incident. The incident occurred at a private resort in Dipaculao, Aurora, on Monday, June 8.

Ateneo on Tuesday, June 9, announced that it has coordinated with the National Bureau of Investigation and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group after the parents of deceased basketball player Rene Baterbonia requested for his remains to be autopsied. Baterbonia, 19, and Nigerian teammate Divine Adili, 21, died from drowning during the Blue Eagles’ team building at a private resort in Dipaculao, Aurora, on Monday, June 8.

Their remains were transferred Tuesday morning from the Aurora Memorial Hospital to Arlington Memorial Chapels and Crematory in Quezon City, where Baterbonia’s parents and brother, who flew in from Davao City, were met and consoled by Ateneo president Fr. Roberto Yap. Baterbonia’s parents requested an autopsy for their son. Ateneo, through Arlington, has coordinated with the National Bureau of Investigation and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to facilitate this process.

Meanwhile, Adili’s family asked Ateneo for his remains to be returned to Nigeria to follow “family and cultural practices that are important to them.” Ateneo is assisting the Adili family in making necessary arrangements and is awaiting written authorization required to begin processing the relevant documentation.

Adili's family requested for his remains to be returned to Nigeria after the incident. Ateneo is assisting the family in arranging the repatriation of Adili's remains.

The rest of the Blue Eagles, players and coaches, returned from Aurora on Tuesday and they took part in psychological processing and counseling facilitated by the school. As the public and the deceased players’ families and friends demand for answers, with Baterbonia’s mother Rovelyn questioning the need for training in the sea, Ateneo is hoping for understanding. Ateneo understands the grief, pain, and many questions and concerns that members of their community may be experiencing.

The team is still grappling with the loss. Ateneo asked for patience, compassion, and prayers for everyone who is carrying the burden of this loss. The University will continue to accompany the families, the team, and all those affected.

Further updates regarding the University’s ongoing response, including measures being undertaken to review the circumstances surrounding this tragedy, will be shared with the community as they become available.

Ateneo president Fr. Roberto Yap spent time with the Baterbonia and Adili families, joined them in prayer, and blessed Rene’s remains as the University continued to accompany them in their grief.

The University is supporting the Adili family in their time of need. Ateneo is assisting the family in the necessary arrangements for the repatriation of Adili’s remains to Nigeria.

The Blue Eagles, players and coaches, returned from Aurora on Tuesday and they took part in psychological processing and counseling facilitated by the school. They received support to cope with the loss.

Aurora police say the deaths of Ateneo players Baterbonia and Adili were a ‘natural accident’ but families and the public are demanding answers. The incident has sparked concerns about safety measures in place.