Rest has come for Ateneo Blue Eagles player Divine Adili following his burial in his hometown of Umueri, Nigeria on Friday, June 26, 2026.
Divine's aunt, Nwozor-Mabia Ogonna Grace, shared photos and videos from the 21-year-old student-athlete's burial on Facebook, saying she posted them at the request of his friends.
The funeral procession began with a convoy of family members, some of whom wore shirts bearing Divine's photo on the front and his name and jersey number, 14, on the back.
His younger brother, Jesse, was also seen carrying a framed photo of Divine in his Ateneo Blue Eagles uniform.
Before his burial, family members and loved ones gathered to offer prayers and sing in honor of the late basketball player, whom they fondly remembered as their "star boy" and "gentle giant."
Read: Ateneo Blue Eagles player Divine Adili's remains flown to Nigeria
Burial a day after coming home
The burial came a day after Ateneo de Manila University announced that Divine's remains had safely arrived in Nigeria, where they were received by his family in Lagos.
The university earlier said Fr. Sigmund "Munching" de Guzman, SJ accompanied Divine throughout his journey home and later stayed with the Adili family as they welcomed their son back to Nigeria.
Divine died on June 8 after he and fellow Ateneo player Rene Baterbonia drowned during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.
The promising center had just begun making an impact in his first season with the Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament.
Meanwhile, separate investigations by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) into the deaths of Divine and Rene remain ongoing.
On Friday, the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) announced that it is recommending the filing of hazing charges against resigned Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin and 10 others who allegedly took part in the team-building activity.
In response, Ateneo said it acknowledged the CIDG's recommendation and respects the work carried out by investigators throughout the probe.
READ MORE:
- Divine Adili’s parents seek answers, justice after son's death
- Baterbonia and Adili families seek accountability from Ateneo; present five demands
- Rene Baterbonia, Divine Adili deaths not an accident — CIDG