More Eagles are choosing to take their talents to Ateneo de Manila University.
Palarong Pambansa Most Valuable Player Rene Baterbonia of Ateneo de Davao has committed to Ateneo de Manila for his college career.
Meanwhile, his teammates—guards Matt Cayetano, JM Sanoria, and Mackee Pelegrino—are transferring from Ateneo de Davao to Ateneo High School
Phenom Sports Management’s Anton Brodett confirmed the development to Tiebreaker Times.
“Bata pa lang ako, pangarap ko nang mag-Ateneo. Sobrang saya ko po at hindi ako makapaniwala na nangyari ito,” Baterbonia told Tiebreaker Times.
Baterbonia, a 6-foot-4 standout, is considered one of the top prospects in the 2026 high school class.
Last December, he led Davao to its first-ever Palarong Pambansa basketball title in Laoag City, scoring 19 points in the Eagles’ 67-51 victory over Western Visayas in the final.
He was also part of the Philippine team, represented by Davao, that swept the 14th ASEAN School Games in Brunei, posting 21 points in the Philippines’ 90-86 win over Malaysia in the championship game.
Baterbonia is also part of the Off-Campus Residences x Toyomoto team that will compete in the 2026 NBTC National Finals.
The 17-year-old native of Agusan del Sur, who idolizes Kymani Ladi, disclosed that he had already trained with Ateneo a year ago and that head coach Tab Baldwin’s vision for him is what led him to decide to go to Katipunan.
“Nag-training na ako kasama yung Blue Eagles last year. Welcome na welcome kaming lahat nun,” he said.
Like Ladi and many Blue Eagles, he hopes that he will one day become a solid pro player once he leaves the nest. But for now, he is focused on his development both on and off the court.
“Matalungan ko yung pamilya ko at mag-improve ako sa skills ko at sa acads,” he said.
The trio of guards will add depth to Coach Bacon Austria’s Blue Eagles. Cayetano is a 6-foot guard, Sanoria a 6-foot-2 winger, and Pelegrino a 5-foot-10 floor general.
“Sobrang saya ko kasi paglipat ko doon, mayroon na akong kilala at makakasama. Sana magkitakita din kami sa college sa Ateneo,” expressed Baterbonia about his fellow Davao Eagles.
All four players will be eligible to play in UAAP Season 89 in their respective divisions.
