DAYS after the tragic passing of Ateneo rookie Rene Baterbonia, members of the Blue Eagles men’s basketball team and coaching staff paid their respects to their fallen teammate on Wednesday at the wake being held at Arlington Memorial Chapel in Quezon City.
The basketball team were led by Ateneo's representative to the UAAP Board of Managing Directors Em Fernandez and coaches Sandy Arespoachaga, Louie Alas, Dean Castaño, Alton Lister, Nico Salva and RJ Jazul.
Curiously, head coach Tab Baldwin was still not in attendance.
The visit came amid an outpouring of grief from the Philippine basketball community following the deaths of Baterbonia and fellow Ateneo player Divine Adili during a team-building activity in Baler, Aurora.
READ: Baterbonia was much more than just Ateneo recruit, AgSur pride
Players and coaches were seen offering condolences to Baterbonia’s grieving family, who continue to seek answers surrounding the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
The gathering marked an emotional reunion between Baterbonia’s loved ones and the teammates and mentors who shared the court with him during his brief but promising stint with the Blue Eagles.
The 6-foot-4 forward was regarded as one of the cornerstones of Ateneo’s future frontline alongside Adili, with both players expected to play bigger roles for the rebuilding program in the coming years.
Wednesday’s visit also came after Baterbonia’s family held a press conference, while representatives from the school paid their respects earlier in the day.
For a few hours at Arlington Memorial Chapel, however, attention shifted from the lingering questions to remembrance, as teammates and coaches gathered to honor a young player whose basketball journey ended far too soon.
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