DEDICATING their UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball campaign to their late teammates Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles start their quest at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
One hundred days after the passing of Baterbonia and Adili, the Blue Eagles face fellow debuting University of the East Warriors at 3 p.m.
Completing the double-header is the battle between the defending champs De La Salle Green Archers and the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers at 5:30 p.m.
For the rest of the season, Ateneo will have the RB l DA (Baterbonia and Adili initials) patches to honor their fallen teammates.
Baterbonia and Adili drowned in the Blue Eagles team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8.
That led to the resignation of Ateneo’s longtime coach Tab Baldwin, as well as the league banning him, with former assistant coach Louie Alas taking on the interim head coaching role.
“Ever since the accident happened, that’s really what has been on their minds, to dedicate this year to those guys. It’s truly something that’s in their hearts,” said Alas.
“As I’ve said, we just want to enjoy what God has given us, what the UAAP has given us — the opportunity to be here and play,” added Alas, whose son and player Kieffer was one of the personalities heavily criticized in the ill-fated training camp.
While the Blue Eagles dedicate their campaign to Baterbonia and Adili, who were supposed to play their rookie and sophomore years, respectively, Alas said getting a chance to play this season is also part of their healing from the tragedy.
“Of course, this is also part of our healing process. It will be easier for us to heal if we win. There are no expectations. We’re prioritizing our mental well-being first. We just don’t want to enter a game when we’re not ready.” Adili’s mother Ifeoma Joy and father Elias arrived in the country on Sunday night and will be watching Ateneo’s first two games of the season.
“In the coming days, they will be with members of the Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team and will attend the Blue Eagles’ first two games of UAAP Season 89,” wrote Ateneo in a statement on Sunday.
“Their visit carries special meaning for all of us. As the team begins a season dedicated to the memory of Divine and Rene Baterbonia, we are grateful that Divine’s parents can be here with the teammates, friends and community who shared an important part of his life.” The Blue Eagles look to eclipse their last season’s sixth place finish with a 6-8 record.
On the other hand, the Red Warriors look to recover from their winless campaign last year and end their 19-game skid dating back to their last five games of Season 87.
