Ateneo men’s basketball players Kieffer Alas and Sam Reyes speak publicly about the June 8 drowning deaths of teammates Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a training camp in Dipaculao, Aurora. In separate reporting, both players recount near-death experiences and describe the moments leading up to and during the incident. They say they were swept by waves and that, in the chaos, they struggled to respond—Alas says he did not know how to swim and felt he had “given up” after being pulled under. The accounts are the first time current members of Ateneo’s program address the events publicly. Multiple investigations are also ongoing, including those by the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), while the UAAP and Ateneo de Manila University monitor developments. The reports also describe the personal toll on survivors: both players express grief and survivor’s guilt. They also say they face online harassment, including death threats, and comments that criticize or blame them following the tragedy.
Ateneo players Kieffer Alas and Sam Reyes recount Aurora drowning deaths
Ateneo men’s basketball players Kieffer Alas and Sam Reyes speak publicly about the June 8 drowning deaths of teammates Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a training camp in Dipaculao, Aurora. In...
- Ateneo men’s basketball players Kieffer Alas and Sam Reyes recount the June 8 training camp drowning in Dipaculao, Aurora.
- The drowning incident kills teammates Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
- Alas and Reyes describe near-death experiences, including being swept by waves and struggling to respond.
- The PNP-CIDG and the NBI are investigating the incident.
- Alas and Reyes report receiving death threats and online backlash after the deaths.
Still grieving the deaths of teammates Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, Ateneo players Kieffer Alas and Sam Reyes continue showing signs of survivor’s guilt compounded by frequent attacks on them on social media. The two survivors spoke out publicly for the first time on the events that happened during the drowning deaths of their teammates […]...Keep on reading: I see his face: Ateneo players deal with grief over teammates’ deaths
8 hours agoMANILA, Philippines—Ateneo’s Kieffer Alas said he and some of the Blue Eagles have received death threats on social media following the fatal drowning of their teammates Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during training camp in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8. There have also been comments blaming them for their teammates’ tragic deaths and citing jealousy as the reason. READ: Ateneo’s Sam Reyes says ‘I felt I could’ve done more’ to save Baterbonia “It’s like going through two deaths. The first one is losing our two teammates, and now being criticized for their deaths. We lost them; we’ve witnessed it happen. […]...Keep on reading: Ateneo players facing death threats after Aurora tragedy
1 day agoMANILA, Philippines—Ateneo men’s basketball players Kieffer Alas and Sam Reyes said they barely survived the drowning incident that killed two of their teammates, Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, during a training camp in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8. Alas and Reyes recounted the tragedy and the events leading up to it in the Let’s Talk with Pia Hontiveros podcast on Tuesday. “I really don’t know how to swim. My head wasn’t straight because I did not know what to do. I already gave up at that point,” Alas said after a series of big waves swept players into the deeper […]...Keep on reading: Ateneo's Alas, Sam Reyes share near-death experiences in Aurora camp
1 day agoMANILA, Philippines–Kieffer Alas and Sam Reyes, members of Ateneo’s men’s basketball program, recounted the June 8 tragedy that claimed the lives of their teammates Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a training camp in Dipaculao, Aurora. In an episode of Let’s Talk with Pia Hontiveros podcast on Tuesday afternoon, Alas and Reyes were the first current Blue Eagles to speak up and shed light on the incident that has sparked public outcry. Investigations by the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are also ongoing. The UAAP and Ateneo de Manila University have also […]...Keep on reading: Ateneo players Kieffer Alas, Sam Reyes recount Aurora tragedy
1 day ago
Uzbekistan vs Colombia kicks off World Cup 2026 Group K at Estadio Azteca
Uzbekistan and Colombia begin their World Cup 2026 Group K match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 17, 2026. Cove...
Bo Bichette drives in six with two homers as Mets beat Braves 7-5
Bo Bichette powers the New York Mets to a 7-5 win over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Citi Field. Multiple report...
Ghana beat Panama 1-0 in World Cup 2026 with stoppage-time winner
Ghana defeat Panama 1-0 in a FIFA World Cup 2026 match decided by a goal in stoppage time. According to reports, Panama...