Divine Adili’s father encourages Ateneo team to keep playing

MANILA, Philippines – Divine Adili’s father urged his son’s teammates to continue playing amid calls for the Ateneo Blue Eagles to skip the next UAAP season. 

Although still dealing with the unimaginable pain of losing a child, Elias Adili offered the Blue Eagles support as they continue to navigate the deaths of Divine and Rene Baterbonia. 

“My message to Ateneo, they should not relent in what they intend to do. And to the teammates, they should continue to play,” Elias told GMA program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho. 

“I’m a fan of the Ateneo Blue Eagles. I’m a fan because of Divine. I have the opportunity of seeing their members, their team. They play with one spirit.” 

Divine and Baterbonia died on June 8 during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, that also almost claimed the lives of their other teammates.

Ateneo players Kieffer Alas and Sam Reyes, among those who faced death, said they plan to return to basketball to honor their two “brothers.” 

Elias wants the same. 

“I’m encouraging the teammates not to relent in their struggle. And I will be happy if they do,” said Elias.

Divine’s remains arrived in Nigeria on Thursday, June 25, with Elias, wife Ifeoma, and the rest of the Adili family receiving him home.

Elias described Divine as friendly and insightful — traits that make the Adili patriarch feel his son’s absence more deeply.  

“He makes me understand his feelings …  He makes me understand everything about him. I really miss him a lot. I miss seeing him. I miss him a lot in my life,” said Elias. 

Probes by National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group over the deaths of Adili and Baterbonia are still ongoing. – Rappler.com