ATENEO is loading up for the future by adding four key pieces to its program.
Palarong Pambansa 2025 MVP Rene Baterbonia has committed to the Blue Eagles, while Davaoeno teammates Macky Peligrino, JM Sanoria, and Matt Cayetano are also set to move to Katipunan to join the juniors squad.
Their handlers Phenom Sports Management, confirmed the move.
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Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo recently paid a visit to Ateneo de Davao where he personally met the players and formalized the acquisition.
The quartet were integral pieces in the Davao Region team which ruled the Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Norte last year and went on to win gold in the ASEAN School Games in Brunei under coach Jess Evangelio.
As part of Off-Campus Residences x Toyomoto, they also earned a regional wildcard slot in the NBTC Mindanao Regional Championship for a ticket to the 2026 Smart-NBTC National Finals this March 22 to 29.
Baterbonia, a steady 6-foot-3 center out of Agusan del Sur, can play his rookie season for the Blue Eagles in UAAP Season 89 and beef up the frontline with Divine Adili.
He also joins a bumper crop of first-year players for the blue-and-white with Cebuano standout Jelomar Rota poised to make his debut next season.
Peligrino, a heady 5-foot-10 guard, will suit up for one more season with the juniors team under Bacon Austria, while the 6-foot forward Sanoria and 5-foot-11 shooter Cayetano can still play two more years in the high school division.
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