University of Santo Tomas head coach Pido Jarencio (left) and the Baterbonia family in UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball. UAAP Media.MANILA — Rene Baterbonia was not, in any way, connected to University of Santo Tomas before his passing, but it was with the España-based team that his bereaved family found solace as they continue to cope with their loss.
Rene’s parents, Rovelyn Baterbonia and Rene Baterbonia Sr., were present at the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball matches on Wednesday and visited UST ahead of its game against De La Salle University.
Growling Tigers head coach Pido Jarencio revealed that the Baterbonias decided to visit the team after Rovelyn found comfort in seeing UST forward Koji Buenaflor, whom the family felt bore similarities to Rene.
“Yung mother, pumunta sa amin,” said Jarencio after their 80-75 win over La Salle. “Pumunta kay Koji kasi parang lookalike ni Rene. Niyakap, umiiyak yung nanay.”
The Baterbonias were already in attendance at the Mall of Asia Arena earlier in the day as Ateneo de Manila University — the school that had committed to Rene well before the June 8 tragedy in Dipaculao, Aurora — dominated University of the East, 101-74.
However, before the UST-La Salle match, the Baterbonias moved from the lower box section to the seats behind the Tigers’ bench.
It was also around that time that they visited UST’s dugout.
“Hindi kami pumapapel, or nag ga-grandstanding, basta pinuntahan kami,” shared Jarencio. “Si Koji, naaalala nila na parang anak nila, kaya kami naman, yun lang ang nao-offer namin sa kanila.”
After the Baterbonias shared moments with the Growling Tigers, Jarencio said UST would dedicate its UAAP Season 89 campaign to the family.
“Sinabi ko lang naman sa kanya, nandito kayo, ide-dedicate namin lahat ng games namin para sa anak niyo, kay Rene, so tuwang-tuwa yung nanay,” shared Jarencio.
“Every game is dedicated kay Rene Baterbonia. We’re not from Ateneo, basta kami, sarili namin, sa puso namin nanggaling yun,” he added.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles have also dedicated their campaign to the Baterbonia and Adili families, with the players donning jerseys bearing patches of their initials, “DA | RB.”
The parents of Divine Adili, Elias and Ifeoma, were also in attendance during the Ateneo-UE match.
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