Ateneo to dedicate UAAP Season 89 campaign to Adili, Baterbonia

Ateneo coach Louie Alas during the UAAP Season 89 press conference at Novotel Manila Araneta City.–UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo coach Louie Alas said the Blue Eagles are dedicating their campaign in UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball to their late teammates, Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia.

“Ever since the accident, that’s all they’ve been thinking about,” Alas said in Filipino. “They’ll dedicate this season to the two guys, Divine and Bobet.”

Adili and Baterbonia died in a drowning incident during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8. Their deaths led to the resignation of head coach Tab Baldwin, his coaching staff, team manager Epok Quimpo and physical therapist John Eric Rue, who were all present during the incident.

Baldwin was eventually handed an unappealable lifetime ban from holding any position in the league or entering any competition venue. He is also facing reckless imprudence resulting in double homicide charges from the NBI, which also conducted its own investigation in the matter.

Quimpo, assistant coaches Dean Caesar Castaño, Sandro Nicholas Romero Soriano, Reynaldo Jacinto Jr., Hernan Ameer Domingo, Caesar Vincent Javellana Elumba and Grant Dearns, and Rueca were also suspended from all league competitions and activities. Their sanction, though, can be appealed.

Alas, who did not join the Blue Eagles in their trip to Aurora due to prior commitments, was then tapped to call the shots on an interim basis.

READ: UAAP: Ateneo’s Kyle Gambler says he will sit out Season 89

The Blue Eagles’ men’s and women’s teams will also honor Adili and Baterbonia by wearing jersey patches with the initials “DA” and RB” throughout the tournament, which tips off on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. The opening ceremony takes place on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Alas added that the team is grateful to the UAAP for giving them the green light to participate in the upcoming season.

“We want to thank the UAAP family because this is our therapy. Playing basketball is our therapy and it’s a part of healing,” he said. “We want to thank all of them for allowing us to play.”

Ateneo, coming off a disappointing sixth-place finish last season, begins its bid on Sept. 16 against University of the East and will be banking on prized rookie Kieffer Alas and guard Jared Bahay.