MANILA, Philippines — The Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball team returned to the hard court for the first time since the Dipaculao, Aurora tragedy that claimed the lives of student-athletes Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia.
The Blue Eagles showed composure in their emotional return, defeating Our Lady of Fatima University, 71-60, in the 2026 Pinoy Liga Cup: The Big Dance on Sunday morning at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym in Katipunan, Quezon City.
It was Ateneo’s first game in front of its home crowd since the tragedy, with the team carrying its grief while taking its first steps toward moving forward.
Head coach Louie Alas, who took over the reins from the now-banned UAAP coach Tab Baldwin, said the team was simply grateful to be back on the court.
“We didn’t even talk in our post-game. We just praised God for allowing us to play. That’s it, honestly. We are very thankful,” Alas told the media briefly, as Ateneo imposed strict media protocols.
The UAAP Board made its final decision to allow Ateneo to compete in Season 89 on August 7, giving the Blue Eagles only two weeks to prepare for their preseason campaign.
Travis Roberts led Ateneo’s offense with 17 points, while Kieffer Alas added 12 markers.
“I expected the struggle in the early part, but the way we practiced this past two weeks, eventually we will cope with this,” Alas said, referring to the players’ body language and their adjustment following the tragedy.
After the victory, the Blue Eagles and fellow Ateneans sang the school’s official alma mater hymn, “A Song of Mary.” Alas admitted that the moment moved him.
Also present at the game was Fr. Roberto Yap, S.J., who showed his support and appeared delighted to see the Blue Eagles celebrate their victory.
Before tip-off, both teams observed a moment of silence in honor of Adili and Baterbonia.
