Gary V offers prayers, Gretchen Ho seeks answers over deaths of Ateneo athletes
Gary Valenciano and Gretchen Ho expressed grief and called for transparency following the drowning incident that claimed the lives of two members of the Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball team.
Valenciano extended his condolences to the Ateneo community through a Facebook post, saying that his heart is “crushed” oveor the news.
“I may be a Green Archer from La Salle, but my heart is crushed at the devastating news about the two players from ADMU who perished in a drowning incident yesterday. My prayers are sincerely with their families and the entire ADMU community,” he wrote.
The seasoned OPM singer also quoted Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” in his post.
READ: DOJ directs NBI to find liability in drowning of 2 ADMU student-athletes
Ho, a former Ateneo student-athlete, also shared her reaction online, saying the tragedy “hits very close to home.”
The athlete-broadcaster added that there are “legitimate questions” surrounding the incident that need to be addressed by the involved parties.
“Understandably, people are still in a state of shock, and we should allow them this space to grieve and find their footing. However, silence will only allow speculation and false narratives to thrive. We trust that the institution we call home will do the right thing,” she said.
The incident involved Ateneo players Rene Clert Baterbonia, 19, and Divine Adili, 21, who died during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8.
Ateneo earlier confirmed the deaths and said the university was providing support to the victims’ families, teammates and coaches.
A police official said the deaths were “purely [an] accident” and did not involve foul play amid circulating reports that the team-building activity was performed in a “boot camp-style.”
In response to the tragedy, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) announced the creation of a fact-finding panel to review the incident and examine existing safety protocols for athletic training environments. /ra
