08/06/2026
๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฎ ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ. ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฎ ๐น๐ฒ๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ.
Our hearts are completely broken. Today, the MOMA Kingsmen Basketball Program is mourning the devastating and untimely loss of someone who wasn't just a giant on the court, but a beautiful soul outside of itโRene Clert "Bobet" Baterbonia.
To the rest of the country, he was a superstar. The 2025 Palarong Pambansa MVP. A true basketball icon who showed every kid with a ball and a hoop that if you believe in the beauty of your dreams, you can achieve them. On the hardwood, Bobet was an absolute warrior. He fought for every possession, played with unmatched heart, and commanded the respect of everyone who faced him.
But what made Bobet truly special wasnโt the trophies or the stardom. It was who he was when the lights went down and the buzzer sounded. He was one of the most humble, down-to-earth, and gentle guys you could ever meet. He never let the fame change him.
To our Kingsmen family, Bobet wasn't just an opponent or a headline. Long before he rose to national stardom, he was a familiar face in our gym, a close friend, and a brother to our older players.
The bond he shared with us goes back to where it all began. He was the childhood best friend and classmate of our former Team Captain, Jhurl Francis Ednilan. Back at Talacogon National High School, they were just two kids sharing big dreams before they eventually went their separate ways to chase their basketball careers. Our Head Coach, James Clyde Ranario, also comes from Talacogon and knew Bobet inside out. They spent countless hours battling on the court together and just hanging out as brothers outside the game.
Losing him feels like losing one of our own. Bobet will always be an inspiration to every single player who puts on a Kingsmen jersey. He is, and always will be, a legendary figure to us.
To the Baterbonia family, we hold you so close in our prayers. Thank you for sharing him with the world.
We love you, Bobet. Your legacy will live on in every game we play, every dream we chase, and every time we step onto the court.
๐๐น๐ ๐ต๐ถ๐ด๐ต, ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฎ๐ด๐น๐ฒ. You will never be forgotten.
๐ฆ
๐ค
