Ateneo plays through grief, prevails in first game since Baterbonia, Adili deaths

TEAM. Kieffer Alas (1) and the Ateneo Blue Eagles before their game against Our Lady of Fatima University in the 2026 Pinoyliga Cup.

Pinoyliga Cup YouTube screenshot

Ateneo beats Our Lady of Fatima University in the Pinoyliga Cup, marking the Blue Eagles' first competitive game since the team building incident that claimed the lives of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili

AT A GLANCE

• The Ateneo Blue Eagles achieved a 71-60 victory over Our Lady of Fatima University in their first competitive game since the tragic deaths of teammates Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili
• Head coach Louie Alas expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play and highlighted the team's struggle to cope with the recent events
• The game began with a moment of silence for the deceased players, and strict protocols were implemented, including limited media access, as Ateneo prepares for the upcoming UAAP Season 89.

This is AI-generated. Read the article for full context. Report any errors.

MANILA, Philippines – Things have not felt normal for the Ateneo Blue Eagles since the deaths of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili. But for at least 40 minutes, they did.

Ateneo returned to action and soared to a convincing 71-60 victory over the Our Lady of Fatima University in the Pinoyliga Cup at the Blue Eagle Gym on Sunday, August 16.

The win marked the first time the Blue Eagles, now coached by Louie Alas, played in a competitive game since the June 8 drowning incident that claimed the lives of Baterbonia, 18, and Adili, 21, during a team bulding activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.

“We did not talk after the game. We just praised God for allowing us to play,” said L. Alas in a mix of Filipino and English. “We’re very thankful.” 

Travis Roberts led the way with team-highs of 17 points and 7 rebounds, while Kieffer Alas supplied 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists as Ateneo shook off the jitters and pulled away in the fourth quarter.

OLFU remained on the Blue Eagles’ heels until the end of the third period, 47-50, before Ateneo unloaded a 19-7 run capped by back-to-back K. Alas buckets to mount a commanding 69-54 lead with under three minutes remaining. 

“I expected us to struggle early on. But seeing the way we practiced over the last two weeks, I told them that we will eventually cope up with this,” said L. Alas. 

Waki Espina added 9 points and 3 steals, Jared Bahay chimed in 7 points and 5 rebounds, while Ian Espina contributed 6 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists in the win that opened with a moment of silence for Baterbonia and Adili. 

A sizable crowd, including school president Fr. Bobby Yap, turned up to give the Blue Eagles a morale boost, with the Ateneo Blue Babble Batallion leading the cheers. 

The school implemented strict protocols for the game and restricted media access, except for a brief interview reporters were able to conduct with L. Alas.

Looking back

The deaths of Baterbonia and Adili sparked public outcry and prompted probes by the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, which looked into possible negligence involving Ateneo and former Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin.

Ateneo also launched an internal fact-finding inquiry, requiring an extension before submitting its report to the UAAP.

The UAAP used those investigations as the basis for its decision to impose a lifetime ban on Baldwin and indefinitely suspend members of his coaching staff who were present during the team building, including assistant coaches Dean Castaño, Sandro Soriano, and Jon Jacinto.

While Baldwin has already resigned from his post and has not been seen around the Blue Eagles, Castaño, Soriano, and Jacinto showed up on Sunday and assisted L. Alas in calling the shots. 

Ateneo is using the Pinoyliga Cup as a warm-up tournament as the Blue Eagles received the green light from the UAAP to compete in the upcoming Season 89, which is set to tip off in September.

The UAAP recognized that the remaining Ateneo players were merely “victims” as well, paving the way for the Blue Eagles’ continued participation. – Rappler.com