PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur - Welcome to 'Baterbonia Country.'
Technically, that goes for Rene 'Bobet' Baterbonia's hometown of Talacogon, but in the ongoing 2026 Palarong Pambansa, it seems the host province in its entirety stands behind its rising star bound for the UAAP as an Ateneo Blue Eagle.
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That was very much at the Datu Lipus Makapandong Governor D.O. Plaza Sports Complex here, the basketball venue of which was filled to the brim and even overflowing to all entrances and exits despite the scorching sun.
The funny thing is, Baterbonia wasn't playing for home region Caraga, as he was again in action for Davao Region when the two teams clashed on Wednesday.
"Exciting na medyo cool ba. Thank you sa hometown ko, dito ako pinanganak, pinalaki. Thank you talaga sa lahat sa inyo sa pagsuporta," he told SPIN.ph.
And yet, the jam-packed crowd hooted and hollered each and every time their kababayan touched the ball - and especially once he punctuated a fastbreak with a two-handed dunk late in the fourth quarter.
In the end, Region XI stayed spotless in its title defense at the expense of Region XIII. Still, the 18 year old remained hotly received by his hometown.
Yes, sir, AgSur!
That may very well be because as Baterbonia makes a name for himself, he brings along his province, as well.
While Agusan del Sur produced the likes of record-breaking long-distance runner Sonny Wagdos, its promising prospect in basketball has a shot to put his hometown on the sporting map for good.
Baterbonia first opened eyes playing for Ateneo de Davao before copping MVP honors and claiming Davao Region's first secondary boys' basketball championship in last year's Palarong Pambansa. Not long after, he became one of Tab Baldwin's top priority recruits for the looming UAAP Season 88.
Born and bred 30 minutes away from the AgSur capital which houses the impressive sports complex, the now-6-foot-4 big interestingly only began playing basketball three years ago. Before that, the dribbling he used to do was with his feet, and not his hands.
"Soccer talaga ako nagsimula kasi hanggang (age) 15 ako, mga 5-5 lang ako. Tapos nung pag-(age) 16 ko, naging 6-foot bigla, tumagkad ako, na-stretch katawan ko," he shared.
With that growth spurt comes a golden opportunity to better the lives of his parents, both fish vendors.
Back-to-back titles for once-upstart Region XI will grow his early legend further, for sure. Making the most of his long limbs and athleticism in the UAAP and then, hopefully, the PBA will then cement his place in the sporting lore of his hometown.
"Ibibigay namin lahat ng best namin. 'Di kami magpapatalo para i-defend yung crown," he said.
Welcome to 'Baterbonia Country.' It will only keep growing from here.
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