09/06/2026
Ateneo should be held accountable for this.
PAALAM, MR. MVP! 🕊️
“Marami pa akong gustong gawin, gusto kong i-prove sa sarili ko na kaya ko.”
The whole country mourns the passing of Rene Clert Baterbonia, a 19-year-old rising student-athlete from Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, former Palarong Pambansa Most Valuable Player, and incoming Ateneo Blue Eagle whose young life and promising journey were cut short.
Before his Ateneo journey could fully begin, Rene had just completed another proud chapter in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa held in Agusan del Sur, where he represented the DAVRAA Eagles / Davao Region in the secondary boys’ basketball tournament.
Coming from his historic 2025 Palarong Pambansa MVP run, Rene returned to the national stage in 2026 with the same heart, discipline, and pride. Davao Region reached the championship game once again, finishing as runner-up after falling to CALABARZON in the finals, 79–62.
His final Palarong Pambansa campaign was more than a tournament. It was a homecoming, a farewell to the school-sports stage, and a final display of the talent that made him one of the most promising young athletes in the country.
From Agusan del Sur to Davao, from the Palarong Pambansa courts to his dream of wearing blue in Loyola Heights, Rene carried the hopes of his family, teammates, coaches, school, province, and every young Filipino athlete who saw their own dreams in his journey.
Today, it is not only the basketball community that grieves. The whole Philippines mourns the loss of a young student-athlete who represented discipline, promise, humility, and the power of dreaming beyond one’s beginnings.
Our deepest condolences go out to the family, friends, teammates, classmates, coaches, and loved ones of Rene Clert Baterbonia.
Thank you for the inspiration, Mr. MVP.
Your story will live on in every young athlete who continues to dream, train, and believe.
Rest in peace, Rene. 🕊️
