Dairick Duterte mourns passing of Palarong Pambansa rival, Ateneo's Rene Baterbonia

Young basketball star Dairick Duterte, who recently led Region IV-A CALABARZON to the 2026 Palarong Pambansa high school basketball title, mourned the passing of his opponent, Davao’s Rene Baterbonia.

Baterbonia and foreign student-athlete Divine Adili died in a drowning incident during Ateneo de Manila University’s team building activity in Aurora. The University announced the unfortunate news on Monday.

“Gaw, ang daya mo. Huling pagkikita na pala natin ‘tong picture na ‘to,” Duterte wrote in his Facebook post.

Baterbonia was the 2025 Palarong Pambansa basketball MVP. He was expected to suit up for the Blue Eagles in the UAAP.

Adili, meanwhile, played for the Blue Eagles last season.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News