Jhustin Hallare and Bruce Tubongbanua have gone through so many battles together.
From being 15-year-olds facing players four years older than them, competing on both 5-on-5 and 3×3 courts, to representing the country with Gilas Pilipinas Boys, they have experienced it all side by side.
Now, the two are embarking on a new journey together.
Hallare and Tubongbanua, pillars of the University of the Philippines Integrated School basketball program, have transferred to Ateneo High School.
It was not a move born out of a desire to leave the school that gave them their opportunity, but one brought about by the dissolution of UPIS’ Under-19 team ahead of UAAP Season 89.
“Nakakalungkot po kasi akala namin ito na yung panibagong opportunity na magbubukas para sa growth namin,” shared the 17-year-old Hallare.
“But we’re still grateful that schools are still interested in taking us in.”
“Of course, I’m very sad about what happened with our team in UPIS, especially because UPIS was the school that helped build my character and made me the person I am today. But I’m still very grateful to UPIS for everything. I was well taken care of by the teachers, coaches, and even my classmates, and I’ll always appreciate the experiences and memories I made there,” expressed Tubongbanua, also 17.
“I believe everything happens for a reason, and moving forward, I’m very happy and excited for my next two years here sa Ateneo.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UP Cebu, the school both Hallare and Tubongbanua were supposed to transfer to, was initially set to replace UPIS in the Season 89 High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament. However, that move will no longer push through.
As a result, the two had to find a new school as soon as possible.
For Hallare, moving to Ateneo was a no-brainer. After all, he had previously studied there.
“Ateneo has always been one of my dream schools, at dahil nag-aral na po ako doon noong Grade 7 and 8, familiar na rin po ako sa school, and I have good relationships with the teachers and staff, and of course my used to be teammates and friends are also in Ateneo,” shared Hallare.
Meanwhile, Tubongbanua’s decision was also relatively easy, with two of his siblings already studying at Ateneo.
“Ateneo is a great school, and I also feel like its system would fit me well. It’s also not too far from where I live, and choosing Ateneo wasn’t a difficult decision for me since both of my siblings also studied here,” said Tubongbanua.
“I’ve also heard great things about the coaching staff, and I believe the team has a lot of potential and is capable of achieving great things.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
On the basketball court, Hallare and Tubongbanua will bring plenty to Bacon Austria’s program.
During their 16U years, they were part of the UAAP Elite Team while in the 19-and-under ranks, Tubongbanua averaged 16.43 points, 6.79 rebounds, 2.21 assists, and 1.21 steals, while Hallare followed with 14.29 points, 5.71 rebounds, 2.79 assists, and 0.93 steals.
Tubongbanua also suited up for Gilas Pilipinas Boys in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026, while Hallare was part of the national team during the FIBA U16 Asia Cup 2025.
It remains unknown whether Hallare and Tubongbanua will be automatically eligible for UAAP Season 89 after coming from a program that has been dissolved.
Regardless of their eligibility status, however, the two are grateful that they get to begin this new chapter together.
“I just want to continue improving and honing my craft, with the ultimate goal of working my way up to the senior level. But right now ang main priority as me and Bruce join the Blue and White is to do whatever we can to help Ateneo win a championship,” said Hallare.
“Jhustin’s and my first goal at Ateneo is to contribute to the Ateneo community and show them what kind of student-athletes we are and what we can contribute to the school. Of course, our next goal is to help the Blue Eagles,” shared Tubongbanua.
“Our main goal is to win a championship, but more importantly, we want to help our teammates develop not only on the basketball court but also as individuals outside of it.”
