Divine Adili to be honored in candlelight service at Ateneo

FILE – Ateneo Blue Eagles player Divine Adili during a game in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament. Adili died Monday in a drowning incident during a team-building activity in Aurora. –UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—A candlelight service honoring Divine Adili is set to be held on Saturday as the Ateneo community gathers in prayer and remembrance for the fallen student-athlete.

The service follows a Nigerian tradition similar to a wake, according to Ateneo.

Adili, along with fellow player Rene Baterbonia, died in a drowning incident in Aurora on Monday during a team-building activity involving the Blue Eagles men’s basketball team.

“Divine Adili’s journey brought him far from home, but along the way he found teammates, classmates, coaches, and friends who came to know and love him,” the school also said.

“He made a lasting impact through the warmth of his presence, the friendships he formed, and the joy he brought to the communities he became part of. We remember Divine with affection and gratitude, and grieve with all those who loved him — in the Philippines, in Nigeria, and beyond.”

Adili’s remains were made available for viewing at Immaculate Conception Chapel inside the Ateneo campus from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, with a Mass also scheduled in the evening.

His family has requested that his remains be flown back to Nigeria and that an autopsy be conducted.

As of posting time, efforts to repatriate Adili’s remains were ongoing with the assistance of the Nigerian Embassy.

Baterbonia’s remains, meanwhile, arrived in Davao on Friday morning.