All eyes were on Ateneo as the team made its debut in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament.
For the Blue Eagles, however, some eyes mattered more than the rest.
The Katipunan-based squad smashed University of the East, 101-74, on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena, but the result’s place in the team standings meant far less than its place in the hearts of the Blue Eagles’ special guests.
Elias and Ifeoma Adili, the parents of Divine Adili, who tragically died in a training accident during Ateneo’s offseason camp in Aurora province in June, were at ringside to cheer on their son’s teammates.
‘I’m delighted to be here, but I wish I was watching my son,’ said Ifeoma.
Divine and teammate Rene Baterbonia perished during a training activity in the waters of Dipaculao in Aurora.
‘I know that my son is [still with the team]. Divine and Rene, they are there,’ Ifeoma added.
‘They might be invisible, but I know my son is there. But I wish to come to the Philippines to watch my son play because that’s what I’ve been desiring. And I know my son desired that, to bring us to the Philippines to come and watch him live.’
The game kicked off with a moment of silence to honor Adili and Baterbonia, and then the Blue Eagles created some noise with their torrid performance that they dedicated to their teammates and to the Adilis.
‘When we met and talked with Divine’s parents, I told them that we dedicate the whole season to Divine and Rene,’ said team captain Jared Bahay.
‘But [I told the Adilis that] this game, since you’re here, we’ll dedicate it to you guys.’
Baterbonia’s family was also present at the venue, but sat at the lower box section. The Baterbonias are still seeking justice for the death of Rene, something that the late standout’s mom made known with a post on social media.
‘Manalo o matalo man sila sa laro, justice pa rin ang hanap namin para sa aking anak (Whether they win or lose a game, it’s still justice we seek for my son),’ she wrote.
The difference in the two families’ presence during the game reflects the polarized opinions basketball fans have about the incident-and Ateneo’s participation in the current season.
While the Baterbonias are looking for accountability from the school, the Adilis have moved on and are showing solidarity with the Blue Eagles.
Elias, however, said the pain will always be present.
‘Since the 18th of June, the date of the incident, I can tell you that men do cry,’ he said. ‘But their tears flow into their hearts. It flows into their hearts. And that’s why we die early. But I thank God for sustaining me up to this moment.’
Kieffer Alas led Ateneo’s motivated effort with 24 points and four rebounds in his UAAP seniors debut. Bahay and Grayson Rogers also helped the cause with 17 and 12 points, respectively.
The Blue Eagles led by just two points in the second quarter, 25-23, before going on a 20-5 rally for a 45-28 advantage.
By halftime, the Blue Eagles led 56-39, and Alas already had 16 points.