UST dedicates UAAP Season 89 campaign to Rene Baterbonia

Sports

THE University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers had an emotional encounter with the family of the late Rene Baterbonia shortly after they listed their first win in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, Sept. 16.

Following their 80-75 win over the defending champions La Salle Green Archers, UST head coach announced that they will dedicate their remaining games to Baterbonia.

Couple Rovelyn and Rene Baterbonia Sr. were at the SM Mall of Asia during the UST-La Salle match. Then proceeded to the UST dugout after the game.

“Touching yung nangyari kanina. Kasi yung mother pumunta sa amin, pumunta kay Koji (Buenaflor) kasi si Koji parang lookalike ni Rene. Naalala tuloy ng nanay si Koji na siya si Rene, niyakap umiiyak yung nanay,” Jarencio recalled their meeting with the Baterbonias.

Jarencio shared that Rovelyn was happy when told that UST’s remaining games will be dedicated to Rene.

“Sinabi ko lang naman sa kanya, nandito kayo..i-dedicate namin lahat ng games namin para sa anak niyo, kay Rene. Tuwang-tuwa ang nanay,” said Jarencio.

A photo of Rovelyn hugging Buenaflor also circulated on social media.

In a report by Tiebreaker Times, Buenaflor expressed sympathy to the Baterbonia family.

“Actually, nakakaawa rin kasi walang nanay na deserve mawalan ng anak, so I’m just there to support the Baterbonia family,” said the 6-foot-7 Buenaflor, who finished with five points and five rebounds in the win.

The Baterbonias’ visit to the UST dugout came after the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles played in the first game against the University of the East Red Warriors.

Ateneo came away with an easy 101-74. Win. It was the Blue Eagles’ first UAAP game since their tragic team-building activity last June 8 that claimed the lives of Rene and Divine Adili in a drowning incident.

The family of Adili flew all the way from Nigeria to watch Ateneo’s season-opening game.(CCM)