WATCH: Height, heart put Ateneo center Kai Sotto way above juniors competition
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WATCH: Height, heart put Ateneo center Kai Sotto way above juniors competition
ABS-CBN News
Published Mar 02, 2018 09:15 PM PHT
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Updated Oct 24, 2018 05:05 PM PHT

At 7-foot-1, it has been said that there's still room for Kai Sotto to add a few more inches to his towering frame.
At 7-foot-1, it has been said that there's still room for Kai Sotto to add a few more inches to his towering frame.
If his performance in the UAAP juniors basketball finals is any indication, the 15-year-old Ateneo Blue Eaglets center has no problem with the growth process.
If his performance in the UAAP juniors basketball finals is any indication, the 15-year-old Ateneo Blue Eaglets center has no problem with the growth process.
Sotto's numbers have been shaking-my-head ridiculous this season, but his performance late in Game 3 against the National University Bullpups showed he has developed into a reliable force in the direst, most pressure-packed of situations.
Sotto's numbers have been shaking-my-head ridiculous this season, but his performance late in Game 3 against the National University Bullpups showed he has developed into a reliable force in the direst, most pressure-packed of situations.
Kai Sotto towers above everyone for the CLUTCH put-back! #UAAPSeason80Jrs pic.twitter.com/OWagYTmNzq
— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) March 2, 2018
Kai Sotto towers above everyone for the CLUTCH put-back! #UAAPSeason80Jrs pic.twitter.com/OWagYTmNzq
— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) March 2, 2018
Sotto played a key role down the stretch of a closely fought game, using his height and length to make 3 putbacks about 4 minutes left in the contest, the last one the game-winner with 25.3 seconds.
Sotto played a key role down the stretch of a closely fought game, using his height and length to make 3 putbacks about 4 minutes left in the contest, the last one the game-winner with 25.3 seconds.
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He finished with 19 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks, earning for him finals MVP.
He finished with 19 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks, earning for him finals MVP.
" 'Yung finals MVP, lahat 'yun, para sa team ko. Hindi ko naman makukuha yun kung di dahil sa coach ko at sa teammates ko," Sotto said in an interview posted on ABS-CBN Sports.
" 'Yung finals MVP, lahat 'yun, para sa team ko. Hindi ko naman makukuha yun kung di dahil sa coach ko at sa teammates ko," Sotto said in an interview posted on ABS-CBN Sports.
The words poise and steady are rare qualities attributed to 15-year-olds, but Sotto possesses heavy doses of both.
The words poise and steady are rare qualities attributed to 15-year-olds, but Sotto possesses heavy doses of both.
The video below is one sequence that demonstrates this:
The video below is one sequence that demonstrates this:
Kai Sotto nails the tough hook even after getting hacked! #UAAPSeason80Jrs pic.twitter.com/caTonZNZE3
— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) March 2, 2018
Kai Sotto nails the tough hook even after getting hacked! #UAAPSeason80Jrs pic.twitter.com/caTonZNZE3
— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) March 2, 2018
In the post-game interview, Sotto said he wanted to make good on a promise he made to his coach.
In the post-game interview, Sotto said he wanted to make good on a promise he made to his coach.
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"Tinext po kasi ako ni coach Joe (Silva), sabi niya, 'Kai, kailangan ka namin. Kailangan mong ipakita talaga 'yung galing mo.'
"Tinext po kasi ako ni coach Joe (Silva), sabi niya, 'Kai, kailangan ka namin. Kailangan mong ipakita talaga 'yung galing mo.'
"Sabi ko naman, 'Coach, di na kailangang sabihin 'yan. Gagawin ko talaga 'yan kasi itong last game, para sayo 'to.' "
"Sabi ko naman, 'Coach, di na kailangang sabihin 'yan. Gagawin ko talaga 'yan kasi itong last game, para sayo 'to.' "
Philippine basketball not only has never seen a 7-foot teenage basketball player with the skills that Sotto has, but it has also never come across a local player this young carrying lofty expectations exhibit such guts and heart.
Philippine basketball not only has never seen a 7-foot teenage basketball player with the skills that Sotto has, but it has also never come across a local player this young carrying lofty expectations exhibit such guts and heart.
And deliver when he says he will.
And deliver when he says he will.
For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.
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