Longing mother Rovelyn Baterbonia took the chance to have her photo taken with University of Santo Tomas’ Koji Buenaflor, who resembles her late son, Rene.

The Baterbonia matriarch broke down in tears in an emotional moment inside the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.

Growling Tigers head coach Pido Jarencio comforted Rovelyn and dedicated UST’s campaign in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 men’s basketball tournament to the deceased Ateneo De Manila University recruit.

“I promise you, all of our games are dedicated to your son,” Jarencio said while firmly holding Mrs. Baterbonia’s hand.

Rovelyn and her husband, Rene Sr., watched the Blue Eagles’ 101-74 drubbing of University of the East – the playdate’s curtain-raiser.

It was exactly the 100th day since Rene, along with Nigerian Divine Adili, perished in a drowning incident while on a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on 8 June.

The Baterbonias visited the Tigers outside of their dugout before UST’s game against defending champion De La Salle University.

They took snaps with Buenaflor and the rest of the team. Rovelyn asked to hug Buenaflor, and the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 member for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games obliged.

UST went on to beat the Green Archers, 80-75, for its first win of the season.

“It was touching what happened earlier. The mother (of Rene) went to us, went to Koji because Koji looks like Rene. She remembers her son in Koji. She was crying. I told her, ‘Now that you’re here, we will dedicate all of our games for your son, Rene.’ The mother was very happy,” Jarencio shared after the game.

The mentor denied that the scene was for show or clout-chasing, saying it was a sincere promise to a grieving family.

“It’s not grandstanding on our part. They went to us, went to see Koji, who reminded them of their son. What we could offer them is to dedicate (this season) to Rene Baterbonia, coming from the bottom of our hearts,” Jarencio said.

Rovelyn, on a Facebook post, expressed her gratitude for UST’s gesture.

“Thank you, coach, for allowing us to see and take pictures with Koji. Thank you also to Koji for the opportunity. I felt that I was hugging my son,” she said.