Rene Baterbonia’s Jersey Entrusted to Boss Toyo Museum

 

The basketball jersey worn by the late Rene Baterbonia during his Ateneo de Davao University Senior High School years will be preserved as part of a museum collection in Quezon City.

The jersey, marked with Baterbonia’s No. 2, was entrusted to collector Jayson Luzadas, popularly known as Boss Toyo, who plans to put it on public display at the Pinoy Pawn Stars museum once renovations are completed.

The turnover was made during a visit by Baterbonia’s parents, Rene and Rovelyn, to Boss Toyo and his partner, Mary Jhoy, at their shop. The meeting was featured in an episode of Boss Toyo’s Pinoy Pawn Stars on YouTube.

The discussion also addressed online speculation surrounding the jersey. Boss Toyo asked Baterbonia’s parents about reports that the family intended to sell the prized piece of memorabilia. Rovelyn clarified that there was no plan to put the jersey on the market.

Boss Toyo likewise rejected reports claiming that he had offered P25 million for the jersey. He emphasized that he did not want to capitalize on public attention surrounding Baterbonia’s death or the intense discussion surrounding the young basketball player.

Rather than treating the jersey as a commercial item, Boss Toyo described the arrangement as a pledge or donation to his museum. He made clear that the memorabilia would be preserved and displayed, not resold.

The jersey carries added significance because of Baterbonia’s basketball trajectory. After playing at Ateneo de Davao, he was recruited by Ateneo de Manila University and was expected to suit up for the Blue Eagles in UAAP Season 89.

Those plans were cut short when Baterbonia died in a drowning incident during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, in June.

For the Baterbonia family, the decision to preserve the jersey in a museum gives the piece a purpose beyond its material value. It serves as a physical reminder of a young athlete whose basketball career was interrupted before he could take the next major step.

Boss Toyo said the jersey will remain part of the museum collection and will not be offered for sale.