MANILA, Philippines — Si No. 4 overall pick Kai Ballungay ang tinitingnan ng Phoenix na kanilang magiging star player simula sa PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup.
At aminado si coach Jamike Jarin na kailangan pang hasain ang 6-foot-7 forward para ganap na makatulong sa kampanya ng Fuel Masters sa darating na season-opening conference.
“A lot of work to be done, physically, mentally, emotionally, so these are the things he needs to work on,” wika ni Jarin sa 22-anyos na si Ballungay.
“I’ve been telling everybody, you can fast track everything - get the strength, get the quickness, get the muscles - by doing it twice-a-day, three times a day, but the only thing you cannot fast track is the experience,” dagdag nito.
Isa ang Fil-Am wingman sa mga tumulong sa Ateneo Blue Eagles sa pagdagit sa UAAP Season 85 championship.
Sa Phoenix ay gagabayan si Ballungay nina veterans RR Garcia, RJ Jazul, Jason Perkins at Javee Mocon.
Ipaparada ng Fuel Masters sa Governors’ Cup na magsisimula sa Agosto 18 si import Jayveous McKinnis.
Ang iba pang reinforcements ay sina Justin Brownlee (Ginebra), Allen Durham (Meralco), Glenn Robinson III (Magnolia), Jordan Adams (San Miguel), Darius Days (TNT Tropang Giga), Aaron Fuller (Rain or Shine), Ricky Ledo (Blackwater), Scotty Hopson (Converge), Brandon Edwards (Terrafirma), Myke Henry (NLEX) at Taylor Johns (NorthPort).