CEBU CITY, Philippines — Rene Baterbonia’s longtime highschool coach and mentor, Jess Linus Evangelio, head coach of the Ateneo de Davao boys basketball workforce, shared heartfelt reminiscences of his former participant following the tragic drowning incident in Aurora on June 8, the place Baterbonia and one other participant died.
In a Fb publish, Evangelio recalled how the 19-year-old from Tagolocan, Agusan del Sur, as soon as informed him his dream was to play for Ateneo de Manila College, one of the crucial profitable applications in UAAP males’s basketball.
READ: Two Ateneo Blue Eagles gamers die in alleged drowning incident
“Once we had been in Brunei, I requested you, ‘What’s your dream faculty?’ With out hesitation, you answered, ‘Ateneo de Manila College.’ After I accompanied you to Ateneo on June 4 earlier than your first observe, you had been so joyful and excited to lastly be in Manila,” Evangelio wrote. “I nonetheless keep in mind you saying, ‘Kung naa koy probability mo dunk, mo dunk ko (If I’ve the possibility to dunk, I’ll dunk).’ And you probably did.”
Evangelio mentioned Baterbonia rapidly stood out throughout coaching, impressing coaches and teammates along with his athleticism and highly effective dunks. The younger ahead had already constructed a powerful following on social media on high of incomes MVP honors and a gold medal on the 2025 Palarong Pambansa with the DAVRAA Eagles.
READ: Ateneo rookie Rene Baterbonia’s mother rues letting him go to Manila
“In your very first day of observe, you confirmed everybody that you could possibly slam the ball so laborious,” he added. “I miss you, brother. Phrases can’t clarify the ache and grief I really feel. Your angle and positivity had been your secret weapons, not simply in basketball, however in life,” he mentioned.
“You impressed everybody round you along with your smile, your work ethic, and your perception in your desires. I’m happy with you, Guess. Thanks for the reminiscences, the laughs, and the brotherhood. Chances are you’ll be gone, however you’ll by no means be forgotten. Love you, Guess. Eternally,” he additional mentioned.
READ: Baterbonia, Adili drowning: PSC to convene panel of stakeholders
Evangelio performed a key position in nurturing Baterbonia’s expertise throughout his highschool years at Ateneo de Davao.
At the moment, he’s in Manila on the Arlington Arlington Memorial Chapels and Crematory in Quezon Metropolis, the place Baterbonia’s stays lie alongside Divine Adili.
READ: Police say no weights connected to our bodies of drowned Ateneo athletes
Baterbonia’s stays are anticipated to be flown again to Agusan del Sur, in his hometown, however an post-mortem by the NBI and CIDG has but to be carried out first.
For Cebuano basketball followers, Evangelio can be identified for main the gritty Davao Occidental Dreamers throughout the bubble-style event held in Cebu in 2022.
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