The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has formed a multi-stakeholder investigative panel following the deaths of Ateneo Blue Eagles players Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on Monday, June 8.
Initial findings from the Police Regional Office 3 showed that Adili and Baterbonia were swimming at a beach in Aurora when they were carried into deeper waters by a strong current. The two student-athletes were rushed to a medical facility, where they were later pronounced dead.
The investigative panel will be composed of representatives from the UAAP, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the Commission on Higher Education and the National Youth Commission to help safeguard athlete welfare.
In a statement released on Tuesday, June 9, the PSC said it was coordinating with the Philippine National Police and the Department of Justice to investigate the incident and review existing safety measures for student-athletes.
“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,” the sports agency said. “Excellence in sport requires environments that push human potential but never at the expense of safety.”
“The PSC stands in solidarity with the families and loved ones of Divine and Rene during this time of profound sorrow.”
Meanwhile, members of the basketball community, led byUST Growling Tigresses head coach Haydee Ong, extended their condolences following the tragedy.
“The UST Women’s Basketball Team mourns the tragic loss of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili. Two young lives, two promising futures, gone too soon,” Ong said on social media. “We offer our heartfelt prayers and deepest condolences to their families, loved ones, teammates, coaches, and the entire Ateneo community during this difficult time.”
UST Special Assistant to the Rector for Sports and San Miguel sports director Alfrancis Chua also mourned the deaths of the two student-athletes, lamenting the dreams cut short by the tragedy.
“Ang gusto lang ng dalawang bata mag-basketball. Nasira pangarap nila,” Chua wrote on Facebook.
Adili, a 21-year-old center from Nigeria, entered Season 88 as a rookie and finished as the Blue Eagles’ fourth-leading scorer. The 6-foot-10 big man averaged 7.5 points, 8.17 rebounds and 0.33 blocks in six games for Ateneo.
Baterbonia, a native of Agusan del Sur, represented Davao in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa and helped the team capture the region’s first championship. He was also named the tournament’s MVP.
The former Ateneo de Davao standout was expected to make his debut under head coach Tab Baldwin in Season 89.
