Former Ateneo de Manila University student-athlete Gretchen Ho expressed grief and called for transparency following the deaths of two Ateneo basketball players during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.

Ho said the incident “hits very close to home,” as she extended her condolences to the families and the Ateneo community mourning the loss of the student-athletes.

“As a former student-athlete of Ateneo, this tragedy hits very close to home. It is deeply painful,” she said in a statement.

The television host also underscored the need for a thorough and credible investigation, urging concerned institutions to establish the facts surrounding the incident.

“There are legitimate questions about what happened, and I trust that the multi-stakeholder body formed by the PSC, together with representatives from the UAAP, SBP, CHED, and NYC, will establish the facts and present them to the public at the appropriate time,” Ho said.

She emphasized that while the community continues to grieve, transparency is crucial to prevent misinformation.

“Understandably, people are still in a state of shock, and we should allow them this space to grieve and find their footing. However, silence will only allow speculation and false narratives to thrive,” she added.

Ho concluded her statement by expressing confidence in her alma mater, saying, “We trust that the institution we call home will do the right thing.”

The Ateneo community and the broader collegiate sports scene continue to mourn the deaths, with calls mounting for accountability and clearer safety protocols in off-campus activities.

Separate and parallel investigations by national sports bodies and local authorities remain ongoing, as officials seek to establish accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future.