TWO members of the Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball team died after drowning during a team-building activity in the municipality of Dipaculao, Aurora on Monday.
According to information from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), the victims were identified as 19-year-old Rene Baterbonia and 21-year-old Divine Adili, both members of the Ateneo Blue Eagles basketball program.
Initial reports showed that the incident occurred Monday afternoon while the team was participating in a team-building activity at a resort.
The two athletes were immediately rushed for medical treatment but were later declared dead.
In a statement, Ateneo de Manila University expressed its condolences to the families, friends, teammates, and coaches of the two players.
Baterbonia was a recent recruit of the Blue Eagles program and had just competed in the Palarong Pambansa finals. Last year, he was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) after leading the Davao team to a championship title.
Meanwhile, Adili, a Nigerian foreign student-athlete, was part of Ateneo’s campaign in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament last year.
The university said it is providing support to the bereaved families of the victims, as well as to their teammates and other members of the Ateneo community affected by the tragedy.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has also been coordinating with Ateneo basketball officials to determine what assistance and support may be extended to those affected by the incident.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the drowning of the two athletes.
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