Baterbonia returns home to chants of ‘MVP!’

newsinfo / Headlines Headlines BODY OF ATENEO CAGER BACK IN TALACOGON Baterbonia returns home to chants of ‘MVP!’ By: Chris V. Panganiban - @inquirerdotnet Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:46 AM June 17, 2026 Share: HOME IS THE HERO Townmates of Rene Clert “Bobet” Baterbonia, including those from nearby areas, pay their respects to the 18-year-old cager who returned to Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, on Tuesday.

—CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN TALACOGON, AGUSAN DEL SUR, Philippines — Ateneo Blue Eagles rookie cager Rene Clert “Bobet” Baterbonia is back in his hometown. His remains arrived here past 1 a.

m. on Tuesday after a 17-hour trip from Davao City that normally takes only seven hours. The funeral convoy, however, had to slow down at almost every town along the way as people lined up by the roadside and chanted “MVP, MVP!”

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on Tuesday, at least 2,000 individuals, some from Surigao and Davao provinces, had paid their respects to him at the town’s evacuation center and municipal gymnasium where his wake will be held until June 23.FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO Zaldy Co ‘ex-bagmen’ gather at venue for supposed blue ribbon hearing NEWSINFO Alan Cayetano, allies file SC petition to 'protect' Senate NEWSINFO Duterte camp wants Trillanes, 40 others, to testify in impeachment trial The funeral convoy passed by San Francisco town around 11 p.m.

on Monday, with two fire trucks giving it a water salute. READ: Cagers’ deaths: Ateneo head says sorry, accepts Baldwin’s resignation Crowds gathered on the national highway from Gaisano Grand Mall to the Datu Lipus Makapandong Cultural Center, located at the provincial capital in Prosperidad town, to see Baterbonia off. Tens of thousands of people also lined up on highways in the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro and Agusan del Sur to pay their respects to a rising Mindanaoan basketball star who drowned during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, with his teammate, Divine Adili.

Article continues after this advertisement READ: Ex-Ateneo players go to CIDG amid Baterbonia-Adili drowning probe The 18-year-old Baterbonia honed his basketball skills under the early influence of his father, whom he often watched compete in local leagues as a child. Article continues after this advertisement Father’s influence According to Arfylle Goloran, a journalist and native of Talacogon, Rene’s father, known as “Dodoy,” was “a sharpshooter from beyond the arc” and a standout player for Barangay San Nicolas in the 40-above category of the Mayor’s Cup Summer Basketball League. Baterbonia, alongside his older brother Rubeyan, later followed in their father’s footsteps, becoming teammates in the under-18 category of a previous Mayor’s Cup tournament.

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Subscribe to our daily newsletter SIGN ME UP By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. During his high school years, he actively competed in various basketball competitions, including the Governor’s Cup, which he joined at the age of 15.

He also represented his school in district, division, and regional-level tournaments under the Department of Education. /cb READ NEXT Baterbonia returns home to chants of ‘MVP!’ Court orders Jinggoy Estrada suspended for 90 days EDITORS' PICK Divine Adili ‘had a pulse’ when pulled on shore, says Ateneo teammate Kim Molina decries threats vs Jerald Napoles over his film ‘Love, NGO’ Legarda on SC petition filed by allies: There’s constitutional controversy Sandiganbayan suspends Jinggoy Estrada for 90 days Alan Cayetano, allies file SC petition to ‘protect’ Senate Mindanao earthquake death toll rises to 68; 33 still missing MOST READ Duterte camp wants Trillanes, 40 others, to testify in impeachment trial Legarda on SC petition filed by allies: There's constitutional controversy Mark Villar not among SC petitioners vs Gatchalian bloc amid trip abroad PCSO: No jackpot winners in June 16 lotto draws View comments EDITORS' PICK MOST READ sports Divine Adili ‘had a pulse’ when pulled on shore, says Ateneo teammate entertainment Kim Molina decries threats vs Jerald Napoles over his film ‘Love, NGO’ newsinfo Legarda on SC petition filed by allies: There’s constitutional controversy newsinfo Sandiganbayan suspends Jinggoy Estrada for 90 days newsinfo Alan Cayetano, allies file SC petition to ‘protect’ Senate newsinfo Mindanao earthquake death toll rises to 68; 33 still missing newsinfo Duterte camp wants Trillanes, 40 others, to testify in impeachment trial newsinfo Legarda on SC petition filed by allies: There's constitutional controversy newsinfo Mark Villar not among SC petitioners vs Gatchalian bloc amid trip abroad newsinfo PCSO: No jackpot winners in June 16 lotto draws sports Ateneo players facing death threats after Aurora tragedy newsinfo Sandiganbayan suspends Jinggoy Estr