WATCH: Height, heart put Ateneo center Kai Sotto way above juniors competition

ADVERTISEMENT

dpo-dps-seal
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!

WATCH: Height, heart put Ateneo center Kai Sotto way above juniors competition

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Oct 24, 2018 05:05 PM PHT

Clipboard

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.

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 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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

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:

In the post-game interview, Sotto said he wanted to make good on a promise he made to his coach.

ADVERTISEMENT

"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.' "

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.

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

It looks like you’re using an ad blocker

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.