Ateneo Players Recall Deadly Drowning Tragedy in Aurora
A disturbing account was shared by Ateneo Blue Eagles players Sam Reyes and Kieffer Alas as they recalled the tragic drowning incident during a team-building activity at a beach resort in Dipaculao, Aurora, where teammates Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia died.
In a podcast interview, Reyes said that 21-year-old Nigerian player Divine Adili still had a pulse when he reached the shore after the incident. Both Reyes and Alas, who survived the tragedy, described how a simple water training exercise suddenly turned dangerous.
They explained that the activity involved walking in a line in shallow water while following a coach as part of a coordination drill. At first, the sea conditions were calm, and the exercise was treated as light training. However, strong waves suddenly arrived and disrupted their formation, causing confusion.
As the waves became stronger, the players were separated. Some initially believed the situation was still safe, but panic began when they struggled to stand and could no longer feel the ground. Some teammates called for help, while others tried to assist one another back to shore.
They recalled that a few players, including a strong swimmer, attempted to help others stay afloat and move toward safety. Despite their efforts, fatigue and strong waves made rescue difficult. Eventually, some reached shallow water, while others were still missing at the time.
The survivors also noted that emergency responders were not immediately visible at the scene, and resort staff, along with teammates, were the first to assist. They shared that Rene was later found and attempts were made to revive him, while Divine was also found unconscious and given emergency care.
Both Reyes and Alas said they were deeply affected by the incident, and there were moments when they feared for their safety. They also raised concerns about the safety measures during the activity, pointing out the lack of sufficient equipment such as life vests and questioning whether proper warnings about sea conditions were provided.
They added that prior to the trip, their coach had already discussed water safety risks, including strong currents and uneven seabed conditions. However, they felt that safety protocols were not properly implemented during the activity.
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