MANILA -- An Ateneo de Davao jersey worn by the late Rene Clert “Bobet” Baterbonia has been entrusted to Boss Toyo of “Pinoy Pawn Stars” to be preserved as part of his museum’s memorabilia collection.
According to Bobet’s mother, Rovelyn, who was accompanied by her husband, Rene, the blue No. 2 jersey was worn by their son when he was a senior high school student at Ateneo de Davao.
YouTube/Boss Toyo Production
In the video, the late basketball star’s parents described Bobet as a good son.
“Opo, mabait talaga. Hindi lang sarili ang iniisip niya, pati rin kami,” Rovelyn said.
"Hindi namin inaasahan na ganoon pala ang impact ni Rene nung namatay na siya," Bobet's father added.
Rovelyn also recalled what her son used to tell their family.
“Kasi sinasabi niya na darating yung araw na yung apelyido namin ay makikilala sa pagsisikap daw at kapag sikat na siya,” she said. “Kaya 14 years old, nakilala na siya sa amin hanggang tuloy-tuloy na.”
Boss Toyo clarified that the jersey was pledged and donated to them by the parents of Bobet, ending rumors that the jersey was sold to him for P25 million.
YouTube/Boss Toyo Production
"Para sa kaalaman niyo hindi ito ibinenta. Noong nakausap ko kayo nagulat ako actually sabi niyo nga hindi niyo ibebenta. Kasi alam niyo naman 'yung chismis puro pinagkakakitaan. ...To clarify ito po ay hindi ibinenta, ito ay pinledge, dinonate," Boss Toyo said.
Before the video ended, Rovelyn stressed that she's giving the jersey to Boss Toyo to be displayed in the museum.
"Ito po 'yung jersey ng anak ko noong Senior High School pa siya. Ito po 'yung pinili ni Boss Toyo para gusto niya ilagay dito sa kanyang museum. Ibinigay ko ito sa kanya ng kusa, na walang kapalit, para alagaan naman po niya ng mabuti. Naiiyak lang ako kasi mami-miss ko ito. Maraming salamat sa pag-alaga nito ni Boss Toyo," she said.
Bobet, 19, passed away in drowning incident during a team-building activity in Aurora last July.
Bobet, who hailed from Agusan del Sur, pursued his studies in Davao City and represented the Davao Eagles (Ateneo de Davao University) in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa, where the team won the secondary boys’ basketball championship.
He was also named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) last year. During this year’s Palarong Pambansa, he helped his team secure the silver medal in basketball.
Mother mourns loss of Rene Baterbonia after team-building tragedy