During a team-building exercise in Dipaculao, Aurora, Ateneo basketball players Kieffer Alas and Sam Reyes faced a life-threatening situation that left them deeply shaken. The tragic incident on June 8, which resulted in the deaths of teammates Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, has sparked urgent discussions about safety in team sports.
A Fight for Survival
I was underwater, I guess, more than 20 seconds. At that point, I had already given up. I was going down and down. I was like going to accept that I might not make it. After more seconds went by, I felt my feet touch the sand. There was a glimpse of hope. I jumped and gasped for air. Everyone else was so far away from me.
Kieffer Alas, Ateneo Player
Alas, who is set to join the team as a rookie, recounted his experience on the podcast *Let’s Talk with Pia Hontiveros*. He described the panic as waves pulled him under, leaving him feeling hopeless. Reyes, who faced similar struggles, attempted to keep another teammate afloat while battling his own fear and exhaustion.
The athletes eventually managed to float back to shore, but the loss of Baterbonia and Adili loomed heavily. Baterbonia was found unconscious and later pronounced dead despite attempts at resuscitation, while Adili was retrieved shortly after.
Calls for Enhanced Safety Measures
Both players highlighted the lack of safety measures that day, noting that none of them wore life vests despite warnings about rip currents. They expressed their belief that greater precautions might have prevented this tragedy. Reyes remarked that the safety measures felt insufficient once the incident escalated.
For me, it felt safety measures were lacking.
Sam Reyes, Ateneo Player
In the aftermath of this traumatic event, Alas and Reyes have also faced backlash, including death threats from those who wrongly blame them for the tragedy. They urged the public to understand their trauma and grief, stating, 'To Divine and Rene, we miss you guys.'