THE parents of late Ateneo de Manila University student-athlete Divine Adili will attend the Blue Eagles’ opening two games in UAAP Season 89 as the school continues to honor their son and teammate Rene Baterbonia.
The Adili family is set to witness Ateneo’s match against the University of the East Red Warriors on Sept. 16, followed by its game against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Sept. 19.
Ateneo welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Adili to Manila and the Ateneo community, marking their first visit to the Philippines.
In a statement, the school said Divine’s parents will spend time with members of the Ateneo men’s basketball team and the wider community in the coming days.
“Their visit carries special meaning for all of us,” Ateneo said in a statement.
The Blue Eagles are dedicating their UAAP Season 89 campaign to the memory of Divine and Baterbonia, who died in a drowning incident during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8.
Ateneo said the visit would give Divine’s parents an opportunity to reconnect with the teammates, friends and members of the community who shared an important part of their son’s life.
The school also appealed to the community to welcome the Adili family with warmth, care and respect while giving them the privacy and space they need as they continue to grieve.
“We hope their time in Ateneo allows them to remember Divine through the people who knew him, played alongside him, and cared for him,” the school said. (Adrian Co)
