Like the mighty Agusan River, tears flowed freely from Agusanons as they laid to rest their young star, Rene Clert “Bobet” Baterbonia, on the morning of June 24, 2026, at the Barangay Labnig Memorial Cemetery in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.
The burial site had recently served as an archery arena during the concluded Palarong Pambansa 2026, but it was quickly converted into the Talacogon Memorial Park following the young athlete’s sudden death on June 8, 2026. The tragedy occurred during a team-building activity for his new team, the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles, in Aurora Province.
. “Ayaw sila pakatulga nak hangtod dili sila motug-an sa tinuod (Haunt them, son, until they tell the truth),” his mother, Rovelyn, cried as the coffin was finally closed after the last round of viewing.
Bobet was a new member of the ADMU roster. As the Palarong Pambansa 2025 Most Valuable Player, he was among the first to bring such an honor to Mindanao and Davao, championing the country’s premier annual athletic competition for high school athletes. He subsequently moved to ADMU as a college student-athlete scholar.
“I am just a kid with a big dream,” Baterbonia famously said after being named the Palarong Pambansa MVP.
With no known girlfriend, it was his mother who stood as his most ardent supporter. With every victory, mother and son rejoiced and shared dreams of a better future.
Rovelyn opened an ATM account when Bobet left for Manila to pursue his basketball career in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). As a scholar-athlete, he received a stipend and intended to send 70% of his compensation back home to support his family. Both mother and son hoped his basketball career would finally lift them out of poverty.
“Ang tanan ma provide ra lagi na (Everything will be provided for…),” he had promised his mother before leaving for Manila.
As details of Rene’s tragic story went public, the entire nation mourned. Following the incident, the head coach of ADMU resigned, and the Ateneo Blue Eagles withdrew from their ongoing tournament in the 19th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup
Meanwhile, Ateneo de Davao High School—the institution that honed Bobet’s skills during Grades 11 and 12—granted full scholarships to his six siblings and named their covered court the Rene Bobet Baterbonia Covered Court (RBCC) in his honor.
His former Ateneo de Davao coach, Jess Evangelo, revealed that as a budding basketball prospect, Bobet had received 30 scholarship offers. He ultimately chose Ateneo de Davao because they were the only institution that agreed to also provide a scholarship for his younger brother, RB.
Baterbonia passed away alongside his ADMU teammate, Nigerian student-athlete Divine Adili.
( Pahayagan Research Team, led by Domsy Ramos)
