CHICAGO - Kymani Ladi had a roller-coaster ride during his one-and-done UAAP season with the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
In his UAAP debut last September 20, the slender but tough wing from talent-rich Vallejo, California looked like a Kevin Durant prototype.
READ Baclaan bids farewell to La Salle, bound for MPBL's Caloocan
In leading Ateneo to an 86-83 overtime win over FEU, Ladi dropped 26 points including the go-ahead 3. He also had three assists and a block, and a star was born.
But after a 4-0 start, Ateneo's campaign quickly unraveled, no thanks to a spate of injuries and a lack of energy late in games.
As the losses piled up, so did Ladi's production and efficiency as he ended up averaging 14,3 points, 7.08 rebounds and 1.4 assists while hitting only 25.9 percent from 3 and 36.6 percent from the field overall.
And while it was unfortunate for the Blue Eagles to have missed the Final Four, coach Tab Baldwin believes Ladi has the tools to thrive in the pro ranks.
READY FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER.
"He is going to be a top-tier player in the next three to five years," Baldwin told me in a telephone interview on Sunday night.
With four ardent suitors. the MPBL wants the first crack at Ky.
The Abra Weavers, the defending champs who have the resources to match their appetite for star power, recruited Ladi but talks died down after "June Mar Fajardo type amount of money" was being thrown around, according to league sources.
A person with knowledge of the negotiations told me that Batangas City coach Cholo Villanueva had spoken to Ladi's camp but the Tanduay-backed team's offer was as thin as a supermodel.
The San Juan Knights, I am told, has a standing offer of P250,000 plus free housing.
But the frontrunner for Ladi's services appears to be Caloocan, which sources bared, are willing to fork over $4000 a month plus perks and bonuses.
Caloocan recently signed Kean Baclaan and Dom Escobar, making the team a potential powerhouse with Ladi's addition.
Where would Ladi go?
Find out tomorrow when he gives us the answer.
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