Ateneo football recruit Yana Bautista dies after COVID-19 battle

MANILA, Philippines—Alyana Bautista, a promising prospect who was set to play for the Ateneo women’s football team passed away from complications due to COVID-19. She was 17.

Her older sister Martie said that Alyana was diagnosed with Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM), a disease that affects the central nervous system, months back.

COVID-19 then complicated Bautista’s ADEM.

“Many challenges continued to surface where much of them left us extremely exhausted– especially for my little sister,” said Martie on a Facebook post. “It is to our despondency to announce that my sister is now finally at peace and with God.”

https://www.facebook.com/martie.bautista/posts/10207923151032064

“She was a captain, teammate, friend, sister, and daughter. She was always lively, stylish, and comical,” wrote Martie, who is a member of the women’s national team.

 Alyana, a graduate of Miriam High School, has experienced playing at club level as she suited in the PFF Women’s League 2019 for Nomads FC as a defender.

She was supposed to suit up for Ateneo in the UAAP.

The PFF, its officials and staff, join the Philippine football community in mourning the loss of Alyana Bautista, who passed away Thursday 23 July 2020.

READ: https://t.co/ZLhl3vnYGt

— Philippine Football Federation (@philfootball) July 23, 2020

The PFF also extended its condolences to the Bautista family on a statement it posted on its website.

“The PFF extends its condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Alyana Bautista and request the football community to pray for the eternal repose of her soul,” posted the PFF.