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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Kai Ballungay sees his athleticism, winning pedigree as edge in PBA Draft

Kai Ballungay sees his athleticism, winning pedigree as edge in PBA Draft

Published Jul 11, 2024 07:03 am

At A Glance

  • It's a thing to have height, athleticism and skill in basketball but knowing a thing or two about how to win is another. Season 49 PBA draft aspirant Kai Ballungay has both and he felt those could be his edge against his fellow hopefuls.

It’s a thing to have height, athleticism and skill in basketball but knowing a thing or two about how to win is another.

PBA Images8 (67).jpg
 

Season 49 PBA draft aspirant Kai Ballungay has both and he felt those could be his edge against his fellow hopefuls.

“Something I take pride in is my use of athleticism, something that I think really separates me from the other attendees in the draft,” said Ballungay who gave the PBA coaches a glimpse of what he could bring to the table during the scrimmages in the PBA Draft Combine.

“It’s something I’ve been working on, you know, continuously is my vertical, you know, getting faster on the court, working on my laterals,” added one of the youngest players in the pool although the second tallest at 6-foot-6.

More than his size and skills, however, coming from a winning culture at Ateneo and under head coach Tab Baldwin is what Ballungay believes set him apart from his peers.

He was part of the champion team of the Blue Eagles and was a vital cog to their campaign that saw them dethrone the UP Fighting Maroons in Season 85.

“I think just coming from a winning culture, playing for Ateneo and getting that experience of a championship-caliber team and being able to compete at the highest level, I think that’s something that’s going to work to my advantage,” said the 23-year-old forward

However, Ballungay, who is projected to be a first round pick in the draft, and could even go as high as inside the Top 5, forgo his remaining years and left Ateneo’s nest to turn pro – a move that came as a shocker for the Blue Eagles community.

Asked what prompted him to make the leap to the PBA, Ballungay said he just wanted to seize every opportunity while he could.

“Just taking advantage of the opportunity. You know, as an athlete, you know, it was a short window just to maximize your priorities. Two great seasons with Ateneo.”

“I feel like that option (to play in the PBA) was always there. After my second year at Ateneo, I wanted to consider everything that was on the table professionally, but I feel like PBA is the best fit at this time.”

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