Ateneo, naglabas ng reaksyon sa interview ni Toni Gonzaga sa ina ni Rene Baterbonia

• Ateneo de Manila University has responded to the criticisms raised by the mother of late basketball player Rene Baterbonia in a recent Toni Gonzaga interview
• The university said it recognizes the Baterbonia family’s continuing grief and maintained that it has repeatedly offered support since Rene and fellow player Divine Adili died on June 8
• Ateneo said University President Fr. Bobby Yap personally met Rovelyn Baterbonia at Rene’s wake to offer condolences, apologies, prayers, and assistance
• The university has now publicly asked the Baterbonia family for another opportunity to meet, listen to their concerns, provide answers, and offer support whenever they are ready

Ateneo de Manila University has issued a statement following the emotional interview of Rovelyn Baterbonia, mother of late basketball player Rene Baterbonia, with Toni Gonzaga on her YouTube channel.

The interview, published on Aug. 9, saw Rovelyn speak candidly about her son’s death and criticize the university’s handling of the aftermath of the tragedy.

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In its response, Ateneo acknowledged the depth of the family’s grief.

“It is heartbreaking to see the deep pain and loss the Baterbonia family continues to endure,” the university said, referring to Rovelyn’s recent interview.

Ateneo explained that since Rene and fellow student-athlete Divine Adili died on June 8, it has continued efforts to assist their families and loved ones. The university said much of that support was provided quietly because of the families’ privacy and their need to grieve in their own way.

“We have made every earnest effort to remain in touch with both the Baterbonia and Adili families,” Ateneo said, adding that it continues to respect the wishes and circumstances of each family.

The university then detailed its efforts following Rene’s death.

At Rene’s wake in Manila, Ateneo President Fr. Bobby Yap personally met with Rovelyn. According to the university, he offered his condolences and apologies, prayed with her, celebrated Holy Mass, and assured her that Ateneo was ready to provide whatever assistance the family needed.

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Fr. Bobby also visited the wake several times, while other members of the Ateneo community conveyed offers of support to the family on different occasions.

After the wake at Ateneo de Davao University, Rene’s family brought his remains home to Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, where the wake continued.

Ateneo said the family subsequently asked the university to give them space as they prepared for the 40th-day commemoration of Rene’s death.

“We respected their request,” the university said.

However, Ateneo added that it has since repeated its request to meet with the Baterbonia family but has not yet been given an opportunity to do so.

The university is now making another appeal, this time publicly.

“We take this opportunity to reach out once again to the Baterbonia family,” Ateneo said, expressing hope that they can “finally sit down with them again, listen to them, provide the answers we can, and extend whatever care or support they may need.”

The university concluded its statement with a message to the grieving family: “We remain here for them, whenever they are ready.”

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Rene Baterbonia, 19, and Divine Adili, 21, both members of the Ateneo men’s basketball program, died following a drowning incident during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8. Baterbonia was an incoming Ateneo rookie and the 2025 Palarong Pambansa boys’ basketball MVP, while Adili, a Nigerian student-athlete, had played for the Blue Eagles during UAAP Season 88. Initial police findings described the incident as an accident with no indication of foul play.

The deaths deeply affected Ateneo’s basketball community and the families of the two young athletes. Rene’s family has continued to seek answers and closure, while Ateneo has maintained that it remains willing to engage with them.

Previously, Rovelyn Baterbonia, the mother of late athlete Rene Baterbonia, warned individuals whom she believed were attempting to take advantage of her son’s death. She said she was prepared to pursue legal action against anyone allegedly exploiting the family’s situation.

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In another report, Lance Carr spoke against individuals whom he said were invoking Rene Baterbonia’s name to attract attention and create online content. The actor expressed concern over misinformation surrounding the late athlete’s case. Carr also recalled his personal connection with Rene, whom he knew while they were both at Ateneo de Davao University. He paid tribute to Rene’s accomplishments as a basketball player and remembered the influence he had on those around him.

Source: KAMI.com.gh