Romwel Anzures

Ateneo de Manila University star Kymani Ladi against Far Eastern University in his UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball debut. Photo from UAAP Media.

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ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758628168086UAAP88 MBB - Kymani Ladi-6814.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Ateneo de Manila University star Kymani Ladi against Far Eastern University in his UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball debut. Photo from UAAP Media."/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Ateneo de Manila University star Kymani Ladi against Far Eastern University in his UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball debut. <em>Photo from UAAP Media.</em></span></span></span>MANILA — Kymani Ladi was a revelation for Ateneo de Manila University during his UAAP debut.</div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/9/20/uaap-bahay-takes-charge-late-steers-ateneo-past-feu-in-thrilling-season-88-opener-1634"><strong>READ: Bahay takes charge late, steers Ateneo past FEU</strong></a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/9/17/uaap-flight-to-redemption-kymani-ladi-out-to-prove-self-help-ateneo-rise-again-1000"><strong>READ: Flight to redemption — Kymani Ladi out to prove self, help Ateneo rise again</strong></a></div><p>The 6-foot-7 Filipino-American made an immediate impact for the Blue Eagles in their Season 88 men’s basketball opener, delivering 26 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and a block in their overtime victory over Far Eastern University last Saturday.</p><p>“I loved the atmosphere here,” said Ladi, who hit the dagger three-pointer after sophomore point guard Jared Bahay took charge in crunch time for the Tab Baldwin-mentored team. “I’ve always wanted to play on a stage like this. Wow, I’ve got the opportunity, I’m taking it.</p><p>Even Baldwin was impressed with how their one-and-done recruit fared well against a Tamaraws frontline that featured Mo Konateh, saying that Ladi did well both on tangibles and intangibles.</p><p>“Their maturity is a huge asset for the team. Not that they&#x27;re not going to make mistakes, they will,” the former Gilas Pilipinas mentor said, saying how Ladi is already setting an example to his new teammates.</p><p>“But more than likely, if we&#x27;re going to be as successful as everybody wants us to be, the rest of the team is going to have to rise to their maturity level,” said Baldwin.</p><p>While he was as good as advertised -- at least in his first game -- there are already questions if the 23-year-old forward from Vallejo will be able to play as  a local for Gilas Pilipinas, should he receive the call.</p><p>“Unfortunately, I got my Philippine passport last year, during my year of residency,” Ladi revealed to ABS-CBN News. “I&#x27;m not entirely sure how that&#x27;s going to play out.”</p><p>Under current FIBA rules — especially those individuals who have dual citizenship like Ladi — only players who have received Philippine passports before they turned 16 are allowed to be considered as a local.</p><p>In the past, Greg Slaughter and Chris Newsome — incidentally both former Ateneo Blue Eagles — were eventually deemed as locals despite only having Philippine passports past the said deadline.</p><p>The appeals for the said players were previously approved by FIBA as both had already spent more than a decade playing and staying in the country, as the ex-Ateneo stars went on to complete their UAAP careers and eventually played in the PBA.</p><p>Ladi most likely needs to undergo the same path if he wants to be categorized as a local, and also be considered as an Asian quota player if he wants to play in the Korean and Japanese professional leagues after his lone UAAP year here.</p><p>For now, the only thing that he can do is become available if ever Gilas would need his services — one that may be possible as Norman Black’s Southeast Asian Games squad is yet to be completed — and Ladi is more than willing to answer that call if and when it comes.</p><p>“If I get the opportunity and it arises, I would definitely love to,” said Ladi, who also shared how the PBA is also among his choices. “The PBA would be great.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:<br/></strong></div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABiKvDyShUYfhqpX"></script>

<p>#UAAPSeason88 | “If I get the opportunity and it arises, I would definitely love to,” says Ateneo's Kymani Ladi.</p>

#UAAPSeason88 | “If I get the opportunity and it arises, I would definitely love to,” says Ateneo's Kymani Ladi.

UAAP: Is Ateneo’s Kymani Ladi eligible to play as a local for Gilas Pilipinas?

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UAAP: Is Ateneo’s Kymani Ladi eligible to play as a local for Gilas Pilipinas?

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 23, 2025 08:47 PM PHT

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Basketball

UAAP

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UAAP Season 88

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Ateneo de Manila University

Ateneo Blue Eagles

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Gilas Pilipinas

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas

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