CHAMPIONS do not rest on their laurels. Look at reigning three-time UAAP titlist Ateneo.
The Blue Eagles are set to get a big boost with the addition of two prized recruits in Fil-Ams Kai Ballungay and Andrew Bongo.
Coach Tab Baldwin was understandably elated with the commitment of Ballungay and Bongo.
“We’re really excited, and these are both really high-quality basketball players. They’ve proven themselves in the US at the high school level,” Baldwin, who was joined by Ateneo team manager Epok Quimpo, said yesterday in an online press conference via Zoom.
“A lot of people here haven’t seen much of these guys, but obviously we’re bringing more size into the program,” he added.
The 6-foot-7 Ballungay saw action for FilAm Sports USA in the National Basketball Training Center National Finals in 2019.
“The decision to commit to Ateneo is two years in the making,” Ballungay, who traces his Filipino roots to Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, said.
Ballungay, 19, suited up for one season for Cal State Stanislaus in the US NCAA Division II where he averaged 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds.
He will be eligible to play for the Eagles beginning in the 85th UAAP season and will have three more playing years.
A 6-foot-4 forward, Bongo, 18, graduated from Charter Oak High School in Covina, California where he was good for 22.0 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.3 steals. He can play five years in the UAAP starting next season.
Baldwin is convinced Ballungay and Bongo have what it takes.
“So, it’s very exciting to bring these talented kids into the program and I think it bodes well for not just next year and what we talked about the immediate future,” he said.
“But these young men have several years ahead of them contributing to the program and the program contributing to them.”
After completing a historic 16-0 season capped by a third straight crown two years ago, Ateneo lost star wingman Thirdy Ravena, now plying his trade as an Asian import for San-En NeoPhoenix in the Japan B.League, big man Isaac Go, twins Matt and Mike Nieto, who were tabbed in the special Gilas draft in 2019, and shooter Adrian Wong, now with Rain or Shine.
