Divine Adili’s parents accept teammates’ account of son’s death: ‘We have known the truth’

PRESENT. Divine Adili's parents, Elias and Ifeoma, watch the Ateneo Blue Eagles in UAAP Season 89 men's basketball tournament game.

UAAP

Seeking answers, Elias and Ifeoma Adili visit the Philippines for the first time and hear firsthand from Divine's teammates what happened in the June 8 incident that claimed the lives of their son and Rene Baterbonia

AT A GLANCE

• Elias and Ifeoma Adili visited the Philippines to learn the truth about their son Divine's death during a team building on June 8.
• They attended a basketball game where they felt a bittersweet connection to their son, who had promised to bring them to watch him play.
• Despite their grief, the Adilis are determined to move forward, acknowledging the difficulty of their loss and expressing disappointment over the delayed communication from the former Ateneo head coach.

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MANILA, Philippines – The parents of late Ateneo big man Divine Adili can return home to Nigeria having known the “truth” about their son’s death.

Visiting the country for the first time in search of answers, Elias and Ifeoma Adili heard firsthand from Divine’s teammates what happened during the June 8 incident that claimed the lives of their son and Rene Baterbonia during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora. 

“We talked to the teammates, because they are the ones that will tell us what happened, because they were present at the place of the scene. So they explained everything,” Elias said. “That was our purpose of coming — to see the team, to talk with them, to tell us the truth.” 

“It’s only the truth that will set you free. Okay? So we have known the truth and I think I can now go back to my kinsmen and tell them that this is what happened.” 

Elias and Ifeoma were in attendance as the Blue Eagles opened their UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball campaign at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, September 16, exactly 100 days since the two student-athletes’ deaths. 

And Ateneo did not disappoint, breezing past the UE Red Warriors in a 101-74 rout starring Kieffer Alas, Jared Bahay, and Grayson Rogers. 

While they are grateful to finally see their son’s team play in person, the moment is inevitably bittersweet for the Adilis. 

Divine, after all, had once promised to bring Elias and Ifeoma to the Philippines so they could watch him in action for the Blue Eagles — a commitment that, in the end, was never fulfilled.

“I’m delighted to be here, but I wish I am watching my son. But I really appreciate what I see because I know that my son is there. Divine and Rene, they are there. They might be invisible, but I know my son is there,” said Ifeoma. 

“I wish to come to the Philippines to watch my son play because that’s what I’ve been desiring. And I know my son desired that, to bring us to the Philippines to come and watch him live, though we have been watching his games [online]. We have been watching every of his games since he came to the Philippines and he desired to bring us here.”

Moving on has also been particularly difficult for the Adilis, especially now that they find themselves surrounded by things and people that were once close to their son.

“To be honest with you, it has not been easy. I tried to move on. But honestly, it has not been easy for me. Even as I entered the Philippines, the moment I stepped in at the airport, I felt so emotional,” said Ifeoma. “I don’t want to cry. But unfortunately today, the moment I stepped into the playground, I saw myself crying. But it’s fine.” 

Ifeoma also expressed her disappointment that former Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin only reached out to their family much later.

“He spoke to us very late, about four days after the incident, which is not proper,” said Ifeoma. “I am not okay with that. To be honest with you, since then, we’ve not heard from him. And it’s okay, it’s okay.” 

As painful as Divine’s death is, though, the Adilis know they have to live with it and find the strength to move forward without their son. 

“There’s nothing we can do. We can’t bring him back. We have cried, we have shed tears, we have complained. But there’s nothing we can do. Thank God we saw his remains — seeing his remains and laying him to rest,” said Elias.

Elias and Ifeoma will also be around when the Blue Eagles battle perennial finalist UP Fighting Maroons on Saturday, September 19, at the Araneta Coliseum. – Rappler.com