Divine Adili remembered as ‘gentle soul’ by TNT coaches

FILE–Ateneo big man Divine Adili during the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.- Adili and Rene Baterbonia died in a drowning incident in Aurora.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—TNT tied its PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals series with Barangay Ginebra at 2-2 on Wednesday, but the mood around the Tropang 5G remained subdued.

Following TNT’s 106-98 win, assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga took time to remember the late Divine Adili, whom he coached with Ateneo.

“Last year, I got to coach Divine and actually, he’s a gentle soul,” said Arespacochaga. “He loves Spongebob despite being such a big person. He looks tough, but he’s a gentle soul.”

Adili was among two fatalities in a drowning incident during Ateneo’s team-building activity in Aurora on Monday. Palarong Pambansa standout Rene Baterbonia also lost his life.

While TNT coach Chot Reyes did not directly coach Adili, he often saw him at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center, where the Tropang 5G and Blue Eagles hold their practices.

“I didn’t even share a brief moment with him, but I saw him every day for almost two years,” Reyes said.

“He was always very respectful. Every time he saw me, he greeted me good morning. Mostly, I saw him in the weight room. If I’m not mistaken, the Thursday before this happened, he was also there during our practice.”

Reyes also posted on social media Tuesday, saying it felt surreal to walk inside the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center without Adili’s presence.