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UAAP: Fil-Am forward Kai Ballungay transfers to Ateneo

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News 

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/sports/07/26/20210726-kai-ballungay.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Kai Ballungay during the NBTC tournament in 2019. <em>Handout photo</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA, Philippines -- <strong>(UPDATED) </strong>Ateneo de Manila University on Monday announced the recruitment of two Filipino-American standouts, forward Kainoa &quot;Kai&quot; Ballungay and guard Andrew Bongo.</p><p>Ballungay, 19, played for FilAm Sports in the 2019 edition of the NBTC Tournament, where he was teammates with Jalen Green. </p><p>He played one season for California State University, Stanislaus before the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out his sophomore season.</p><p>&quot;Being able to play for Coach Tab (Baldwin) is a blessing. I can&#x27;t wait to get to work,&quot; said the 6-foot-7 forward. </p><p>Ballungay was a President&#x27;s Scholar at Stan State and played in 24 games, making four starts. He averaged 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per game as a freshman.</p><p>In a statement posted on his Instagram account, Ballungay said he was &quot;beyond blessed to begin this new chapter in my life.&quot;</p><p>&quot;(I am) excited to be able to represent my Filipino heritage while continuing to pursue my dreams,&quot; he added.</p><p>Ballungay&#x27;s enrollment is already being processed, according to Ateneo team manager Epok Quimpo. He will sit out one season but will be eligible to play by Season 85.</p><p>&quot;I think Kai is a very complete basketball player, complete in the sense that he has a broad range of skills,&quot; said Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin. &quot;But he&#x27;s also incomplete, he has a lot to learn still.&quot;</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/sports/07/26/20210726-andrew-bongo.jpg"/><figcaption>Andrew Bongo</figcaption></figure></div><p>Meanwhile, the 18-year-old Bongo is a 6-foot-4 guard from Charter Oaks High School in California. </p><p>&quot;I think Ateneo is the best school that will help me grow in every aspect, not just basketball but school-wise as well,&quot; said Bongo, who will be eligible to play immediately as a high school graduate.</p><p>Bongo plays club basketball with Ateneo players Dwight and Eli Ramos, both of whom are also set for their debuts with the Blue Eagles.</p><p>It remains to be seen when Season 84 of the UAAP can push through, after the cancellation of Season 83 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. </p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1684320" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>(UPDATED) Ateneo de Manila University on Monday announced the recruitment of two Filipino-American standouts, forward Kainoa "Kai" Ballungay and guard Andrew Bongo.</p>

(UPDATED) Ateneo de Manila University on Monday announced the recruitment of two Filipino-American standouts, forward Kainoa "Kai" Ballungay and guard Andrew Bongo.

UAAP: Fil-Am forward Kai Ballungay transfers to Ateneo

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UAAP: Fil-Am forward Kai Ballungay transfers to Ateneo

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 26, 2021 01:51 PM PHT

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Updated Jul 26, 2021 03:08 PM PHT

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UAAP

Ateneo Blue Eagles

Kai Ballungay

Ateneo de Manila University

Tab Baldwin

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