FILE–Ateneo’s Divine Adili reacts during a game against UE within the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo de Manila University, rocked by drowning deaths of two of its basketball players in a team activity, provided an announcement on Tuesday.
The families of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili were promised all the assistance they need at the same time as Baternonia’s family had requested than an autopsy be done on the promising native of Davao.
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“On the request of Rene’s parents, an autopsy shall be conducted,” the statement read. “The University…has coordinated with the suitable authorities, including the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), to facilitate this process.”
Adili’s stays, meanwhile, shall be flown to Nigeria.
“The family of Divine Adili has expressed its want to have his stays returned to Nigeria, consistent with family and cultural practices which might be vital to them,” the college said. “The University is assisting the family within the crucial arrangements and is awaiting the written authorization required to start processing the relevant documentation.”
Ateneo has also emphasized that it’s providing support and assistance to the families of Rene and Divine after the tragic incident.
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The varsity also said that the team has arrived back in Manila following the mishap in Aurora during their team constructing, and that every member of the team will undergo counselling and psychological sessions to be “facilitated by the College Guidance Office.”
“The University recognizes that the emotional impact of this tragedy extends beyond a single session and has committed to providing continuing counseling, psychological support, and other types of take care of the student-athletes, coaches, and staff in the times and weeks ahead.”
Coach Tab Baldwin, meanwhile, under whose watch the tragedy happened, has yet to present an announcement regarding the matter.