Rene Baterbonia, the 18-year-old basketball standout and 2025 Palarong Pambansa MVP who died in a drowning incident during Ateneo’s team-building activity, was laid to rest on Wednesday in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.
Family members, teammates, coaches, government officials, and residents gathered to pay their final respects, with some calling for justice as investigations into the tragedy continue.
Baterbonia died alongside teammate Divine Adili during the June 8 incident in Dipaculao, Aurora, with autopsy reports confirming both succumbed to asphyxia by drowning.
Former Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin recently appeared before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in connection with the ongoing probe but declined to comment.
Before his burial, Baterbonia’s wake was held in Quezon City, Ateneo de Davao University, and his hometown in Talacogon, where mourners honored his life and basketball legacy.
Source: PhilNews24 | June 25, 2026
FAMILY, FRIENDS BID FAREWELL TO RENE BATERBONIA IN TALACOGON
Latest from Sport
The Philippine U-20 men’s saber team defeated Thailand, 45-40, to win gold at the Southeast Asian
Alas Pilipinas Women secured their first-ever silver medal in the SEA V Cup after beating Indonesia
Golaman, a new online golf booking platform, is being launched to boost sports tourism in the
The UAAP Board has imposed a perpetual ban on former Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin and
Filipino youth gymnasts Rhimel Daniel Cabides and Antonette Amante won gold in the mixed pairs event