Kirk Long was given a green light by the PBA Commisioner to play for the PBA D-League but no to PBA. “Hanggang doon na lang yon. He’ll not be allowed to play in the PBA,” said PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial regarding his appeal to apply to the next PBA Draft.
Long, who was raised here in the Philippines after he was brought by his Missionary Parents way back 1991. He finished his Elementary and Secondary Level at Faith Academy, where he was discovered by Norman Black after a scrimmage that pits him against the Former Blue Eagles and Ryan Buenafe. According to Kirk “I was playing against Ryan Buenafe and some other guys back then and I did beat them all,” Long quipped with a huge grin on his face. “This also helped me set a platform of my future in the country and it did worked well.”
During his last year at Ateneo, the 6'1'' small forward from Faith Academy was named as the Team's Co-Captain together with Raymond Austria.
The same case had happened before with the MBA Veteran Alex Compton who was born and live all through out his life in the Philippines. He was only given a chance by playing as an import for Welcoat first Import Laden Season.
Notable UAAP Career of Kirk Long
- Belongs to the 4-peat Ateneo Blue Eagles <2008, 2009, 2010, 2011>
- 2010 Philippine Collegiate Champions League Mythical 5
- 2010 UAAP-NCAA Press Corps' Collegiate Basketball Mythical 5
- 2011 UAAP-NCAA Press Corps Collegiate Basketball Defensive Stopper of the Year
- 2011 PCCL Model Collegiate Player of the Year