Romwel Anzures

Ateneo de Manila University guard Sam Reyes. Screen capture from The Pod Network’s Let’s Talk with Pia Hontiveros.

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781673305659IMG_1203.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Ateneo de Manila University guard Sam Reyes. Screen capture from The Pod Network’s Let’s Talk with Pia Hontiveros. MANILA — The tragedy in Dipaculao, Aurora, last June 8 continues to haunt Ateneo de Manila University guard Sam Reyes, who was roommates with Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during the team-building activity.</div>“I feel guilt lang po. I felt na I could&#x27;ve done more para ‘di siya malunod,” said Reyes, who appeared on <a class="fr-green" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzSL93G_M1w&amp;t=3187s">The Pod Network’s Let’s Talk with Pia Hontiveros </a>alongside fellow Blue Eagle Kieffer Alas.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/17/-lack-of-information-after-aurora-tragedy-contributed-to-backlash-vs-players-says-alas-0016">READ: &#x27;Lack of information&#x27; after Aurora tragedy contributed to backlash vs. players, says Alas</a></div>The aftermath of the tragedy has continued to weigh heavily on Reyes, who has shown signs of survivor’s guilt.<a class="fr-green" href="https://blogs.bcm.edu/2018/08/13/coping-with-survivors-guilt/">According to Baylor College of Medicine psychiatrist Dr. Asim Shah</a>, survivor’s guilt “can happen after a person experiences a trauma in which they wish they could have done something different to prevent another person from damage — whether it’s emotional, mental or physical.”It aligns with what Reyes appears to be going through, as he revealed that he went for a walk on the night of the incident as one of his initial ways of coping with the tragedy.“It was eating me alive. There were times na I was just awake nung that night po mismo when we were still in Baler,” Reyes shared. “It was already 12 midnight, I could still see [Rene’s] face when I was carrying him. When I tried to sleep, I would see his face tapos nung nakatulog po ako for a bit, uh, I woke up suddenly around 3 a.m.”“I was in disbelief because we were roommates. Rene and Divine, I would see them in their beds so I just went out to take a breath. I was just wandering, walking aimlessly. I was thinking na this is just a bad dream,” continued Reyes.Reyes also recounted how he nearly drowned before eventually reaching safer waters.“I didn’t know where I was heading. It took me a long time to be attentive to where I was, but there was still water going into my face,” recalled Reyes, who also helped Ian Espinosa survive the strong current. “Nagpa-panic na rin po ako, tapos nag-iisip na po ako na kung di po ako umalis, mamatay na din po ako kasi po ang dami na din po ako nainom na tubig.”“I heard Kieff calling out for me, but I started cramping up na rin po. So it was just my hands swimming. Pero Kieff was able to drag me out of the water,” he continued.Compounding the stress that Reyes and his teammates are dealing with is the backlash that they have received in the aftermath of the tragedy.“It’s just hard po. They&#x27;re saying that we&#x27;re just jealous, na we did it because we&#x27;re jealous. It&#x27;s just killing us kasi we were there. We lost two of our brothers. Sobrang sakit po kasi na nabuhay nga po kami pero parang pinapatay po kami,” said Reyes.He also clarified that the team did not isolate Baterbonia, contrary to narratives that have emerged from photos circulating online.“The table was full, and the [Filipino-Americans] moved a space for Rene to join,” said Reyes.Since then, Reyes, Alas, and the rest of the Blue Eagles have undergone counseling sessions as they continue to cope with the aftermath of the tragedy in Aurora.

The tragedy in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8 continues to haunt Ateneo de Manila University guard Sam Reyes, who was roommates with Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during the team-building activity.

The tragedy in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8 continues to haunt Ateneo de Manila University guard Sam Reyes, who was roommates with Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during the team-building activity.

Guilt-ridden Sam Reyes still in disbelief after losing roommates Baterbonia, Adili

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Guilt-ridden Sam Reyes still in disbelief after losing roommates Baterbonia, Adili

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 17, 2026 02:29 PM PHT

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