Let's sit down and talk about Ateneo basketball, Coach Louie Alas, and the incredibly uncomfortable conversation we need to have about grief, public relations, and the upcoming UAAP season.
Following the devastating Dipaculao, Aurora tragedy that claimed the lives of Blue Eagles players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, the Ateneo men's basketball team recently returned to the court. It was their first game since the incident, resulting in a 71-60 victory over Our Lady of Fatima University.
In the aftermath of the emotional return, newly appointed head coach Louie Alas made a profound declaration to the public. He stated that the team was simply praising God for the opportunity to play again, adding, "Lahat ng games namin ngayon inaalay namin kay Rene at Divine."
On the surface, dedicating the season to fallen brothers sounds like a noble, fitting, and touching tribute. But if we peel back the layers of this narrative, we find ourselves wading into very tricky ethical waters.
The Vlogger Comparison
We have all seen the harsh criticism directed at social media vloggers and influencers who rush to monetize a tragedy. The public rightfully calls them out for "milking" a death for clicks, views, and ad revenue.
What Coach Alas and the Ateneo program are doing right now is drawing a similar, albeit more complex, type of criticism. No, they are not milking the tragedy for financial gain. But they are absolutely milking it for narrative currency.
A Shield Against the Backlash
The reality is that the Ateneo basketball program is currently under an unprecedented, highly critical microscope. The tragedy led to a massive scandal, an ongoing investigation, and the perpetual banning of former head coach Tab Baldwin by the UAAP. The team and the university administration have been battered by public scrutiny and online bashing.
By actively framing this entire upcoming season as a tribute "for Rene and Divine," the program effectively builds an emotional shield around itself.
Buying Acceptance
When a team loudly declares they are playing for their deceased teammates, it completely changes the rules of engagement for critics and fans alike.
Immunity from Basketball Criticism: If the team struggles on the court with Coach Alas's new system, you can't heavily criticize their execution—because they are grieving kids doing their best.
Deflecting Accountability: If you continue to question the administration's handling of the team or the safety protocols that led to the incident, you risk looking insensitive to a squad that is just trying to honor their brothers.
It is a narrative strategy designed to force the public to accept them again. It softens the blow of the scandal and deflects the incoming bashing by wrapping the team's basketball efforts in the untouchable armor of tragedy.
We can absolutely sympathize with the surviving players. Those young men have been through unimaginable trauma, and finding motivation in the memory of their friends is a natural, healthy human coping mechanism. But when the adults in the room use that grief as the official marketing and media angle for the season, it crosses a line. It feels less like a genuine tribute and more like a tactical defense mechanism to weather a public relations storm.
Related Article: UAAP Controversy: Ateneo basketball CAN PLAY this season even after the DEATH of 2 Players!
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