Cheyenne Suarez

PSC forms multi-stakeholder body after death of Ateneo student-athletes

Article (news)

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17809763765671780976374922.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Ateneo de Manila University&#x27;s Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia. Photos from UAAP Media/NBTC"/>Ateneo de Manila University&#x27;s Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia. Photos from UAAP Media/NBTC MANILA (UPDATED) – The Philippine Sports Commission said it is convening a sports stakeholders&#x27; panel following the drowning incident that claimed the lives of Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia, members of the Ateneo Men&#x27;s Basketball Team. </div>Ateneo de Manila University confirmed the passing of Adili and Baterbonia on Monday, saying the incident took place during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.  <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/8/uaap-ateneo-s-adili-baterbonia-pass-away-in-drowning-incident-1959">READ: Ateneo’s Adili, Baterbonia pass away in drowning incident</a></div>The PSC mourned the passing of Adili who was 21 years old and Baterbonia who just turned 19 years old last May 8.  &quot;As the government agency mandated to provide leadership and direction in sports development and athlete welfare, the PSC is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigations and is convening a sports stakeholders&#x27; panel to support the efforts of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Justice (DOJ)-with the objective of establishing a clear, accurate, and comprehensive understanding of the events that transpired,&quot; the PSC said in a statement on Tuesday. &quot;Beyond fact-finding, this multi-stakeholder body-which includes the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP), the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the National Youth Commission (NYC)-will examine existing policies, protocols, and training practices toward resolutions to strengthen safeguards in athletic training environments,&quot; it added. The PSC said the sports stakeholders&#x27; panel aims to investigate beyond the incident. &quot;The goal is not only to understand what happened, but to ensure that lessons learned lead to safer, more responsive systems that protect athletes while sustaining high-performance sport. Excellence in sport requires environments that push human potential, but never at the expense of safety,&quot; it said. &quot;The PSC stands in solidarity with the families and loved ones of Divine and Rene during this time of profound sorrow,&quot; the body shared. Adili suited up for the Ateneo Blue Eagles in UAAP Season 88 Men&#x27;s Basketball tournament. The Nigerian center was vital to Ateneo&#x27;s 4-0 start in their Season 88 campaign. Baterbonia recently arrived in Manila after committing to play for the Blue Eagles.The 19-year-old made waves in the Palarong Pambansa, being crowned Most Valuable Player in 2025, after leading the Davao region to its first boys&#x27; basketball title.  Last month, Baterbonia once again led the Davao Eagles to the boys&#x27; basketball finals but fell to Region IV-A.  The Agusan del Sur native was also part of the Philippine team that won the 14th ASEAN School Games in Brunei last November 2025. <div> </div><div>BASKETBALL COMMUNITY MOURNS DEATHS </div>The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) mourned the deaths of Adili and Baterbonia.  &quot;As the National Sports Association for basketball, the SBP has been in communication with the University&#x27;s basketball officials to determine what assistance may be needed, with particular attention given to those most affected by this tragic incident,&quot; it said. Baterbonia&#x27;s former school, the Ateneo de Davao Senior High School Sports Office mourned the passing of the basketball standout. &quot;Rene was more than a student-athlete. He was a brother, a teammate, a friend, and an inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. On the basketball court, he played with determination, discipline, and excellence. Off the court, he carried himself with humility, kindness, and a gentle spirit that touched the lives of many,&quot; the school wrote. &quot;We will forever remember Rene as our Gentle Giant—a young man whose presence brought strength, comfort, and joy to those around him. He was truly an MVP on and off the court, not because of the points he scored or the games he won, but because of the character he displayed, the respect he showed, and the love he shared with others,&quot; it added. Ateneo de Davao University also mourned Baterbonia&#x27;s passing, with university president Karel S. San Juan, SJ calling him &quot;a brother, a teammate, a friend, and an inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.&quot;&quot;Last week, he stepped forward toward the future he had worked so hard for. Yesterday, he was taken from us. We hold that sorrow with his family, and we do not hold it lightly,&quot; San Juan said. &quot;We also mourn Divine Adili, his teammate, gone in the same tragedy.&quot;We trust that the circumstances of this tragedy will be examined fully, and that whatever is found will be addressed with honesty and care for the families.&quot;The university will hold a mass for Baterbonia on Friday.The Department of Education in Davao City grieved the death of Baterbonia, who represented Davao Region in Palarong Pambansa. &quot;Rene inspired countless young athletes through his exceptional talent, humility, discipline, and unwavering commitment to excellence. His remarkable achievements brought honor not only to Davao City, Region XI but to the entire nation,&quot; it said. &quot;While his life was cut short far too soon, his legacy as a champion, a leader and an inspiration will continue to live in the lives of those he touched. May we honor his memory by carrying forward the values he exemplified – perseverance, sportsmanship and service to others,&quot; the post added. In a statement on Monday, the Police Regional Office 3 said that &quot;initial findings indicate that the victims were swimming when they were reportedly carried by a strong current into deeper waters.&quot;  PRO 3 urged the public to refrain from sharing speculation on the incident to allow authorities time to complete their investigation. Meantime, the Provincial Government of Aurora issued a separate statement on Tuesday, expressing deep sadness and condolence over the tragic incident. &quot;Out of respect for the privacy and grief of the families, and considering that no consent has been given for the disclosure of personal details, the Provincial Government refrains from making further statements regarding the identities of those involved,&quot; it said. &quot;This tragedy is a solemn reminder for all residents, tourists, resort operators and local authorities that safety must always be given the highest priority,&quot; it added. The Provincial Government of Aurora reminded the public to observe safety advisories and remain vigilant at all times, while calling on resort operators and municipalities to maintain adequate measures. &quot;The Provincial Government of Aurora strongly encourages all municipalities in the province to review and strengthen their local safety measures, whether through appropriate executive orders, ordinances, advisories or other local issuances to help prevent similar incidents in the future,&quot; it said.

The Philippine Sports Commission said it is convening a sports stakeholders' panel following the drowning incident that claimed the lives of Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia, members of the Ateneo Men's Basketball Team.

The Philippine Sports Commission said it is convening a sports stakeholders' panel following the drowning incident that claimed the lives of Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia, members of the Ateneo Men's Basketball Team.

PSC forms multi-stakeholder body after deaths of Ateneo student-athletes

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PSC forms multi-stakeholder body after deaths of Ateneo student-athletes

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 09, 2026 11:40 AM PHT

|

Updated June 09, 2026 02:05 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

Ateneo Blue Eagles

Divine Adili

Palarong Pambansa

Rene Baterbonia

Philippine Sports Commission

Ateneo de Manila University

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