All six siblings of Baterbonia granted full scholarships

ALL of the six siblings of the late Rene Clert “Bobet” Baterbonia have been granted full scholarships by the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) as a tribute to his unparalleled legacy, impact and contributions to the university.

No less than ADDU President Fr. Karel San Juan, SJ., announced the entire academic scholarship until college for the fallen Blue Knight legend’s family during a mass at the Senior High School Bangkal Campus Christ The King Chapel in Davao City over the weekend.

“Bubuhayin po natin si Bobet sa pamamagitan ng pangarap niya sa kanyang mga minamahal,” said Mr. San Juan as ADDU organized a three-day public viewing inside the university campus for families, fans, relatives, friends and teammates to pay their final respects for Mr. Baterbonia.

“Yung pangarap na nagdala po sa Maynila at iwan ang pamilya rito sa Davao, ang pangarap niya, na ang kanyang anim na kapatid, ay bibigyan po ng ADDU ng scholarship.”

The ADDU added that offers were also on the table from Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro, also under the Ateneo university system as a whole, for Mr. Baterbonia but the family opted for Davao due to its proximity from their Agusan residence.

A product of ADDU high school, Mr. Baterbonia has siblings who are all currently in elementary, high school and college, including the promising young gun Rhenz who’s set to play junior basketball as a Blue Knight. He’s the second eldest.

They can now enjoy top-tier education with hopes of realizing the dreams chased by their brother in a flight from Agusan del Sur and Davao to the country’s capital after being recruited by Ateneo de Manila University.

A native of Talacogon town in Agusan, where he had a grand homecoming during this year’s Palarong Pambansa, Mr. Baterbonia led the ADDU Blue Knights to multiple Mindanao titles highlighted by the Davao Region’s first-ever Palaro title last year in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte en route to an MVP citation.

Davao yielded the throne to Calabarzon in this year’s Games, where he still made the Mythical Team, serving as Mr. Baterbonia’s swan song before he took flight to the Big City to play college ball in the UAAP.

He just arrived last week in Manila and was seen behind the bench during Ateneo’s 72-52 debut win against Adamson University in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup in San Juan but passed away due to a tragic drowning incident in Dipaculao, Aurora on Monday.

What was left behind by Mr. Baterbonia, 19, will now be pursued by his siblings at ADDU for their loving parents who are still seeking clear answers from one of the biggest tragedies in Philippine sports history.

“Lord God, thank you so much. Thank you so much, Lord. This is definitely one of Rene’s dreams that came true,” added ADDU Blue Knights head coach Jess Evangelio, who molded Mr. Baterbonia as one of the best young players in the country.

“Thank you very much ADDU for giving scholarship to all Rene’s siblings in Ateneo de Davao. We will never forget your kindness and support to our family. Thank you so much, Lord, for all your blessings. This is for you, Rene. You will continue to be our inspiration. We love you and we miss you every day.”

It was coach Mr. Evangelio who shared the now famous last conversation with Mr. Baterbonia upon his departure to Manila, saying that the late forward told him he would not go home to Davao (and Agusan) at least in the next five years to chase his dreams and lift his family out of poverty.

The tragedy of incoming rookie Mr. Baterbonia, alongside the foreign student-athlete sophomore center Divine Adili from Nigeria, is already under investigation by multiple government agencies and sports organizations.

Both of the families are seeking clarity and demanding justice, but while they wait for the conclusion of the probes, a sigh of relief and a golden academic opportunity at the very least, for the future of what’s left behind, is made possible by Mr. Baterbonia’s high school alma mater. — John Bryan Ulanday