Professors, mentors of Rene Baterbonia, Divine Adili pay heartfelt tribute to student-athletes after their deaths

Rene: 'More than a student-athlete'

In a statement, Ateneo de Davao University Senior High School Sports Office remembered Baterbonia, whom they fondly called "Bobet," as a "gentle giant."

They took pride in how Rene was dependable not just as a student-athlete but also as a brother and a friend.

"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," they wrote.

"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," they said.

They added how Baterbonia exemplified the values of a Blue Knight, balancing excellence with faith and service. He is remembered for his quiet leadership, steadfast dedication, and genuine care for others.

"Though his time with us was far too short, his impact will remain forever etched in our hearts and in the story of Ateneo sports. We thank God for the gift of his life, for the memories he leaves behind, and for the example he set for all of us," they wrote.

Ateneo de Davao coach Jess Evangelio grieved the loss of his former player, Rene, reflecting on the years they spent together on training.

"For 2 years, araw-araw tayong magkasama. Five days of practice, two days of games or minsan seven days of practice straight. Ganyan tayo magtrabaho sa Ateneo de Davao para maabot ang mga pangarap natin," he wrote.

"Araw-araw kitang kasama, Rene. Araw-araw."

Coach Jess said parting ways with Baterbonia as he pursued his dreams was difficult enough, but losing him has made that goodbye all the more painful.

"Masakit para sa akin nang umalis ka papuntang Manila para tuparin ang pangarap mo, dahil alam kong hindi na kita makikita araw-araw. Pero hindi ko akalaing mas masakit pa pala ang realidad na ito na habang buhay na kitang hindi makikita," he continued. "Marami tayong pinagdaanan. Maraming pawis, sakripisyo, saya, at pangarap na pinagsaluhan. Salamat sa lahat ng alaala, kapatid."

"Love you, MVP. Forever in our hearts," he concluded.

The Schools Division Office of Agusan del Sur remembered Rene as a humble student who "never failed to look back on his roots."

"Those who knew him remember a young man full of life, hope, and compassion. During Brigada Eskwela, he willingly offered his time and effort to help prepare his school. He dreamed of contributing to the education of future learners and even expressed his desire to donate a desktop computer to improve the learning resources available to students," they wrote in a statement. "His vision extended beyond personal success; he wanted others to succeed alongside him."

Remembering Rene not only as a gifted athlete but also as a source of inspiration to those around him, they mourned the loss of a young man whose dreams, future achievements, and acts of kindness were cut short.

"Rest in peace, Bobet. Your dreams began in Agusan del Sur, flourished in Davao, and will live forever in the hearts of those who loved and believed in you," they concluded.

Superintendent Josita Bruzon recalled a time when Rene pledged to donate computers to Talacogon Central Elementary School, where he was an alumnus, after five years.

"He made a promise to his teachers that he will donate computers after 5 years. It was a promise that will not be fulfilled anymore. This year’s BRIGADA ESKUWELA was his last," she wrote.

Divine: 'A dedicated athlete who also looked far beyond the court'

In a heartfelt tribute, Prof. Louie Julian looked back on his fond memories with his student Divine. He recalled initially being skeptical of the athlete due to his experiences with another men's basketball player who had attendance issues, especially when his recruitment generated a lot of buzz then.

"I was wrong, thankfully. Divine was different," he wrote on Facebook. 

Louie said Divine's perseverance was evident in how he balanced basketball and academics while dealing with a lower back injury. Even when prolonged sitting caused discomfort, he stayed focused in class and earned grades that reflected his effort and attentiveness.

"There would be times he would randomly leave his seat in the middle of a class session, not to rudely leave the room, but to stand in the back to stretch. The seats were too small for him (even the large ones designed for people his size) and his manner of sitting was causing him strain. But he would excuse himself politely and assure me with a winced face and a gentle wave that he was listening. And his grades showed that he was someone who was truly paying attention," he wrote.

The professor then remembered Divine opening up about his family during a final oral exam and reflecting on the struggles of adjusting to life away from Nigeria. Though basketball was a major part of his journey, he said Divine was driven by a larger goal—to build a future for himself and become someone his family could be proud of.

He then put an emphasis on Divine's name, Chukwuemeka, which means "God has done great things" in the Igbo language. 

"Don’t forget that name. He is not a victim, a statistic, or a piece of content for anyone’s stupid vlog," he wrote. "He is a person with a rich story of tenacity and purpose. He is a person with a name, a face, and a story."

"Amid the acrid facelessness of the reports of his death, I hope my small testimony reminds us of a man who had hopes as tall as his stature and who was so loved by his friends and family. My heart is with them as they prepare for a bitter homecoming. I can’t imagine the pain they are about to endure," he added.

"Rest in perfect peace, Divine, my friend. I will miss seeing you in the corridors and jumping slightly to high-five you! I’m so sorry that we did not take care of you as best as we should. We will live with this pain forever. May the Good Shepherd care for you and Bobet better than this world ever did," he concluded.

Prof. Skilty Labastilla, Divine's professor in Introduction to Ateneo Culture and Traditions, recalled that while the athlete, whom they called "D," would sometimes miss class due to his injury, he often pushed himself to attend lessons, sometimes standing at the back of the classroom because sitting was too difficult. His dedication was reflected in the 3.0 QPI he earned as a freshman.

"D crossed an ocean from Nigeria to pursue his dreams at Ateneo, trusting this institution with his education, his talents, and his well-being," he said.

"While he was a dedicated athlete, he also looked far beyond the court; if he didn't pursue a career as a professional player, his dream was to build a future in Marketing, so he was aiming to take it as a track and pair it with Psychology," he shared.

"We extend our deepest, most heartfelt condolences to D's family in Nigeria, his teammates, and his friends. The IS family will forever honor D’s heart, humility, and quiet strength," he continued. "Rest in peace, D."

Multiple agencies have launched parallel investigations into the incident, including the Dipaculao local government, the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Philippine Sports Commission. 

Baterbonia’s remains were flown to Davao early Friday, June 12, for a three-day wake before being brought home to Agusan del Sur. The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the Philippines is also facilitating the repatriation of Adili’s remains to Nigeria. The families of both victims have requested that autopsies be conducted.