On the day Ateneo basketball player Rene Baterbonia was laid to rest on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, more accolades came for the basketball star from Mindanao.
The Department of Education (DepEd) turned over to his family a certificate of recognition for Baterbonia’s achievement of being named to the Mythical Five in basketball during the 2026 Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur.
The provincial government, meanwhile, gave his family a certificate of commendation for Baterbonia’s exceptional athletic performance and outstanding sportsmanship during the 2024 Governor’s Cup, which earned him a rightful spot in the Mythical Five of the 2024 Governor’s Cup All-Star Team.
Earlier, Agusan del Sur declared Baterbonia an “AgSurnon Sports Icon” in recognition of his achievements and contributions to sports and the promotion of the province on the national and international stage.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed a resolution on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, conferring the Datu Lipus Makapandong Award upon Baterbonia in recognition posthumously of his outstanding achievements, exemplary contributions to basketball, and for bringing honor, prestige, and pride to the province.
In the resolution, the provincial government also announced the official retirement of Jersey Number 2 in honor of Baterbonia.
On the final night of Baterbonia’s wake on June 22, the municipal government of Talacogon, his hometown in Agusan del Sur, approved an ordinance declaring June 8 of every year as “Rene Clert ‘Bobet’ N. Baterbonia Day.”
The legislative measure honors Baterbonia’s legacy and contributions to sports development, discipline, and community service, the town said.
PROMISING PLAYER
The 6-foot-4 Baterbonia was a standout from the Ateneo de Davao University basketball program.
He made waves in the Palarong Pambansa when he won Most Valuable Player and steered the Davao Eagles to a championship in 2025.
In May 2026, Baterbonia capped his Palaro journey with a silver finish next to eventual champions Region IV-A in the secondary boys’ basketball tournament in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa held in Agusan del Sur.
Because of this, ADDU named one of its covered courts after the late basketball player.
Ateneo de Manila University was his dream school and he dreamed of flying higher with the Blue Eagles to also help his family back home.
He moved into campus on June 4, just four days before he and fellow Ateneo basketball player Divine Adili drowned while at a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8.
Adili’s remains were flown to Nigeria on June 23.
