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Aimar Okeke, a foreign student athlete playing for the Ateneo's men's volleyball team, urges the public to pray for Divine Adili, Rene Baterbonia and asks media and influencers for respect.

The Ateneo de Manila University men's volleyball player Aimar Okeke has called on the public to offer prayers for the late basketball recruits Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia while appealing for compassion and respect as their families, friends, and teammates continue to grieve.

In a series of Instagram Stories, Aimar urged social media users and content creators to be mindful when discussing the deaths of Divine and Rene, saying the focus should be on honoring their lives rather than generating online engagement.

"Please allow his family, friends, and teammates to grieve. They're dealing with a loss that most of us can't even begin to understand," Aimar wrote as he remembered Divine, whom he referred to by his Nigerian given name, Chukwuemeka. He added that those who truly knew Divine would remember him as "one of the most peaceful people around" and someone who often helped keep others out of trouble.

Aimar also appealed to the public to say a prayer for both student-athletes instead of turning their deaths into online debates. According to him, no amount of speculation or discussion on social media can change what happened, making it all the more important to respect the privacy of those mourning the loss.

In another Story, Aimar expressed disappointment toward some content creators who had commented on the tragedy without, he said, fully understanding the circumstances. He questioned whether the pursuit of fame, views, and engagement had overshadowed empathy, urging people to stop using the deaths of the two athletes as material for content and commentary.

He also stressed that cultural differences should never be an excuse for insensitivity, calling on the public to refrain from discussing the deceased in a disrespectful manner, especially when details surrounding the incident remain unclear.

Divine, a 21-year-old Nigerian center known as "The Big Man," was among Ateneo's promising young basketball talents. The 6-foot-10 standout won back-to-back MVP awards in the NAASCU Juniors Division while leading New Era University to consecutive championships before joining the Blue Eagles. In UAAP Season 88, he emerged as a dependable frontcourt presence and one of Ateneo's leading contributors.

Rene, meanwhile, was a highly regarded basketball prospect from Agusan del Sur who was preparing for his collegiate debut with Ateneo. The 19-year-old helped Davao Region capture its first-ever Palarong Pambansa boys' basketball championship in 2025 and earned both MVP and Mythical Five honors. He also represented the Philippines in the ASEAN School Games, where the national team won a gold medal.

The Ateneo De Manila University earlier confirmed that Divine and Rene died during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora. Their passing has prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes from the university community and the Philippine basketball scene.

RELATED CONTENT: In Memoriam: Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia's basketball journeys