More Eagles are choosing to take their talents to Ateneo de Manila University.

Palarong Pambansa Most Valuable Player Rene Baterbonia of Ateneo de Davao has committed to Ateneo de Manila for his college career.

Meanwhile, his teammates—guards Matt Cayetano, JM Sanoria, and Mackee Pelegrino—are transferring from Ateneo de Davao to Ateneo High School

Phenom Sports Management’s Anton Brodett confirmed the development to Tiebreaker Times.

“Bata pa lang ako, pangarap ko nang mag-Ateneo. Sobrang saya ko po at hindi ako makapaniwala na nangyari ito,” Baterbonia told Tiebreaker Times.

Baterbonia, a 6-foot-4 standout, is considered one of the top prospects in the 2026 high school class.

Last December, he led Davao to its first-ever Palarong Pambansa basketball title in Laoag City, scoring 19 points in the Eagles’ 67-51 victory over Western Visayas in the final.

He was also part of the Philippine team, represented by Davao, that swept the 14th ASEAN School Games in Brunei, posting 21 points in the Philippines’ 90-86 win over Malaysia in the championship game.

Baterbonia is also part of the Off-Campus Residences x Toyomoto team that will compete in the 2026 NBTC National Finals.

The 17-year-old native of Agusan del Sur, who idolizes Kymani Ladi, disclosed that he had already trained with Ateneo a year ago and that head coach Tab Baldwin’s vision for him is what led him to decide to go to Katipunan.

“Nag-training na ako kasama yung Blue Eagles last year. Welcome na welcome kaming lahat nun,” he said.

Like Ladi and many Blue Eagles, he hopes that he will one day become a solid pro player once he leaves the nest. But for now, he is focused on his development both on and off the court.

“Matalungan ko yung pamilya ko at mag-improve ako sa skills ko at sa acads,” he said.

The trio of guards will add depth to Coach Bacon Austria’s Blue Eagles. Cayetano is a 6-foot guard, Sanoria a 6-foot-2 winger, and Pelegrino a 5-foot-10 floor general.

“Sobrang saya ko kasi paglipat ko doon, mayroon na akong kilala at makakasama. Sana magkitakita din kami sa college sa Ateneo,” expressed Baterbonia about his fellow Davao Eagles.

All four players will be eligible to play in UAAP Season 89 in their respective divisions.

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University of Santo Tomas opened the second round of the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Football Tournament in style, blanking Claret School of Quezon City, 3–0, to reclaim pole position on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

Powered by a standout performance from striker Argos Alingalan, the Junior Golden Booters completed a season sweep of the Red Roosters and returned to the top of the standings.

Meanwhile, De La Salle Zobel kicked off the matchday with a 3–1 win over Adamson University, while Ateneo de Manila University held on despite the ejections of head coach JP Merida and two players, prevailing 1–0 against PAREF Southridge.

Alingalan once again proved to be the catalyst for the Junior Golden Booters, carrying over the momentum from Tuesday’s 5–1 demolition of the Red Roosters with another scoring clinic.

Fresh off a brace earlier in the week, the 18-year-old forward went one better against Claret, firing a hat-trick in the 29th, 33rd, and 71st minutes.

This clinical display pushed the Tagum City standout’s season tally to seven goals and made him only the second player this year to record a hat-trick in the high school boys’ division, joining Claret’s own Filbert Tacardon, who achieved the feat last January 31 against the Baby Falcons.

“Good na naka-score kami ng three goals,” said UST assistant coach David Basa. “Yung hattrick ni Argos, good confidence-booster sa kanya going to the second round. Masipag naman siya sa training at masipag siya para sa team — reward na rin sa hard work.”

UST now leads with 16 points, followed by idle Far Eastern University-Diliman in second with 15 and La Salle in third with 13. Ateneo (10) reclaimed fourth spot, leapfrogging Southridge (8), which dropped to fifth. Adamson and Claret are in sixth and seventh, respectively, with three points each.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

After a two-game slump, La Salle relied on Andre Tongson’s two-goal performance to bounce back against Adamson.

The rookie from La Salle Green Hills opened the scoring in the 24th minute, calmly skipping past Baby Falcons keeper Cody Saavedra before slotting the ball into an open net. He then completed his brace in the 48th minute with a simple tap-in after a slick dribble from teammate Renz Partosa.

In between Tongson’s goals, Stephen Derrick pulled one back for Adamson in the 34th minute. However, substitute Jayden Gayoso dashed any comeback hopes, sealing the 3–1 victory in the 90+2nd minute for the Junior Green Booters.

“Siyempre, masaya kasi nakuha namin yung objective namin, which was the three points,” said La Salle coach Arvin Soliman. “Sabi ko sa kanila during the huddle, kailangan natin manalo against them na convincing kasi yung first game namin was only 1-0 (last February 11). At least ngayon, naka-score kami ng tatlo. From there, I can say na we’re improving in terms of finishing kasi yun talaga naging problema namin sa previous games namin.”

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

The final match of the evening saw Ateneo edge Southridge by a single goal, mirroring their first-round encounter on January 17.

Captain Andres Dumlao scored the decisive goal in the 22nd minute as the Blue Eagles survived a tense second half.

Manu Simpao was the first Ateneo player sent off after receiving a straight red card for dissent following a yellow card for delaying the game. The ejection sparked strong reactions from the Blue Eagles’ bench, prompting referee Segundo Saluria III to also issue red cards to Merida and assistant coach Mark Ayuson.

Southridge tried desperately to salvage a draw, but the Admirals’ efforts were thwarted. After a shot hit the crossbar, Jose Mamon and Javier Cervantes both failed to convert late-game chances.

In stoppage time, Ateneo defender Johnson Talosig also received a red card for a dangerous foul, giving Southridge one last opportunity. A late corner allowed goalkeeper Timothy Patawaran to attempt a dramatic equalizer, but his effort was easily dealt with by Ateneo’s Reign Deocampo.

“First of all, I’m so happy for my players,” said Merida. “From outside the technical area, I saw that their hard work gave us the three points. Even with the red cards, hindi sila nag-stop going into the final whistle. For me, we deserve these three points and we need to set another preparation going into the Adamson game.”

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Far Eastern University-Diliman’s redemption tour is officially in full swing.

The Baby Tamaraws claimed the top spot as the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Football Tournament first round concluded Tuesday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

Fueled by Jacob Keleghan’s high-scoring performance, FEU-D dismantled Ateneo de Manila University, 5-0.

The Tamaraws now lead the standings with 15 points, recording five wins and one loss.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

Meanwhile, the University of Santo Tomas returned to winning ways by thrashing Claret School of Quezon City, 5-1, while PAREF Southridge and De La Salle-Zobel capped off the first round with a 1-1 stalemate.

Keleghan proved to be a force to be reckoned with for the Baby Tamaraws, netting twice (23’ and 32’) during FEU-D’s three-goal first-half blitz. The third-year winger now has four goals in six matches this season, and FEU-D coach Jake Morallo was pleased to see him rediscover his scoring touch.

“First half pa lang naka two goals na siya,” said Morallo. “Two games prior nito, medyo off si Jacob. Sinasabihan ko siya palagi na you have to improve more. I think sa last elimination round, capable siya mag-shoot (since) he is our top scorer.”

FEU-D defender Vazili Recinto opened the scoring just eight minutes into the game, while substitutes Jeffrey Fernandez and John Amita completed the rout with goals in the 75th and 78th minutes, respectively.

Chasing the Baby Tamaraws in the standings are the Junior Golden Booters, who sit in second with 13 points, followed by the Junior Green Booters in third with 10 points.

Rounding out the top four is PAREF Southridge, which barged into the playoff picture with eight points, narrowly edging fifth-placed Ateneo, which has seven points. Adamson and Claret currently anchor the table, tied at three points each in the sixth and seventh spots.

Determined to move past their upset loss to Southridge, UST put on a scoring clinic against Claret, finding the back of the net four times in the first half and once more in the second.

UST striker Argos Alingalan spearheaded the first-half blitz, scoring twice in a three-minute span (37′ and 39′). The scoring opened in the 34th minute via Roy Panunciar Jr., and Earl Bahan added a fourth goal in the 40th minute. Alfrancis Orteza capped the rout with an 85th-minute strike to seal the dominant victory.

“’Yun talaga ang sinabi namin sa boys na kailangan nilang bumawi from the loss para siyempre ’yung confidence madala din namin sa second round,” said UST assistant coach David Basa. “Yung training namin focuses more on scoring, at least medyo lumabas, especially nung first half.”

Claret, however, did not go home empty-handed as Filbert Tacardon scored the Red Roosters’ consolation goal off a set-piece in the 85th minute.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

The first round concluded with PAREF Southridge and De La Salle Zobel canceling each other out in a 1-1 draw, with both teams converting penalties.

Southridge captain Carlito Vergara opened the scoring in the 71st minute, slotting a penalty into the bottom-left corner after Junior Green Booters skipper Ferdinand Reytas committed a handball.

La Salle salvaged a draw when substitute Reuben Bartocillo converted a penalty in the 85th minute, following a foul by a Southridge defender.

“First half, we dominated the game,” said La Salle coach Arvin Soliman. “Nakita natin kung na-covert namin yung mga chances na yun, tapos na yung game, but credit to the coaching staff of Southridge — nakapag-adjust sila ng second half.”

The second round of the tournament is set to resume this Saturday at the same venue.

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