Agent debunks social media claims on Alas–Baterbonia issue

There is no truth to the social media narrative circulating online suggesting friction between Kieffer Alas and the family of the late Rene Baterbonia.

This was clarified by Joevince Eusebio, Rene’s agent — and, coincidentally, Kieffer’s godfather — following a viral clip showing Alas approaching Rene’s mother, Rovelyn, during the Ateneo men’s basketball team’s visit to Rene’s wake at Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City last Wednesday, June 10.

The video was uploaded by the Facebook page Mirayah, which is run by Baterbonia’s aunt, on Wednesday evening.

“Walang [katotohanan] yung mga issues na linalagay sa social media. Doon lang tayo sa kung yung totoo at sa alam ng family ni Rene Baterbonia,” Eusebio said during a press briefing held at the Ateneo de Davao University Bangkal Campus on Friday afternoon.

In his explanation, Eusebio said he personally introduced Alas — his godson — to Rovelyn during the Blue Eagles’ visit. What followed, he said, was a heartfelt exchange centered on a missed opportunity involving Rene.

Alas had earlier requested Eusebio, who also handles Phenom-New Zealand Creamery/Bluefire managed by Anthony Brodett, to have Baterbonia as his teammate in Phenom for the 2026 NBTC National Finals last March.

“Si Kieffer was there, pag-approach ni Kieffer sa mom, nagkwento sila. Pumasok ako doon kasi Kieffer is my inaanak, and I introduced him to the mother of Rene. I said: ‘Mommy, ito po si Kieffer Alas. Inaanak ko po siya.’ And when we played for NBTC in Manila, isa lang ang request na teammate ni Kieffer Alas — si Rene Baterbonia,” Eusebio explained.

“It was Kieffer’s request na makasama si Rene sa NBTC. That was a conversation down nung humarap kami sa mama ni Rene. Kaya lang, may mga ibang stories na lumalabas sa social media.”

However, Baterbonia ended up suiting up for Off-Campus Residences x Toyomoto – Ateneo de Davao in the NBTC after the 2025 Palarong Pambansa MVP helped his squad secure the last two regional wildcard spots in the NBTC Mindanao Regional Championship, preventing the two from ever playing on the same team.

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The closest they came to sharing the court was during the All-Star Game of the 2026 NBTC National Finals, where Alas suited up for Team Heart and Baterbonia played for Team Hustle.

The two were widely regarded as cornerstones of Ateneo’s future in the highly competitive UAAP men’s basketball landscape. But that trajectory was cut short after Baterbonia, along with Nigerian teammate Divine Adili, died in a drowning incident last Monday during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.

“Kaya lang, ang team ni Coach Jess ay nakapasok sa Mindanao Finals, kaya wala kaming chance na makalaro si Rene. That’s the story,” Eusebio stressed.