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Elias Adili, the father of Ateneo basketball player Divine Adili, is mourning the loss of his son while seeking answers following the drowning incident in Aurora that claimed the lives of two members of the university's men's basketball team.

In an exclusive interview with GMA News Online, Elias said he last spoke with Divine on the weekend before the team's training camp in Dipaculao, Aurora.

According to Elias, Divine first called him on Saturday to tell him about the upcoming camp. The following day, the 21-year-old athlete informed his father that he was already on his way to the activity.

Days later, however, Elias received a call that would change his family's life forever.

Instead of hearing from his son again, he was contacted by a representative from Ateneo, who informed him that Divine had died in a drowning incident. Incoming rookie Rene Baterbonia also lost his life in the tragedy.

"He called me on Saturday [to tell me] that he was going to camp. On Sunday, he told me he was on the way. Then on Monday, I got the news," Elias recalled.

He added, "It was very painful. I still can't believe he's gone."

Elias, who is currently in Nigeria with the rest of their family, said the loss has devastated them. He described Divine as not only a promising basketball player but also a loving son and brother who helped support the family.

The eldest among four siblings, Divine had become one of the family's providers while pursuing his collegiate basketball career in the Philippines.

Elias shared that his son developed a love for basketball after watching a local league game in Nigeria years ago. Divine would later continue his basketball journey in the Philippines, where he played for New Era University before joining Ateneo.

The grieving father remembered his son as respectful, kind-hearted, and deeply devoted to his family.

"He was a very good boy. He respected people and took care of his siblings. They were very fond of him," Elias said. "His death is a huge blow to our family."

The tragedy has also taken a heavy toll on Divine's mother, Ifeoma Joy Adili, who, according to Elias, continues to struggle with the loss.

Photo by: GMA News and Elias Adili

"She has been crying since Monday. The pain is still very deep," he said.

As his family grieves, Elias said he is still searching for answers regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident. Among the questions weighing on his mind are whether proper safety measures were in place before the activity was conducted.

"I still want answers," he said. "Why were there no life jackets? Were the players asked if they knew how to swim? Was the weather properly assessed before they entered the water?"

For now, Elias said the family remains heartbroken as they await the return of Divine's remains to Nigeria.

"We are highly devastated," he said. "Now that he's gone, I don't know where to start again."

As the Adili family continues to mourn, the Nigerian Embassy in Manila said Divine's relatives have requested an autopsy before his remains are flown back to Nigeria. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy remains ongoing.
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In Memoriam: Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia's basketball journeys