A span of a year can truly alter somebody’s path in life. And 15-year-old, 6-foot-11 Ateneo Blue Eaglet and Batang Gilas center Kai Sotto is a prime example of that.
In April of 2016, the Jr. NBA Manila Regional Selection Camp event was being held at the Mall of Asia Activity Center. But that particular event turned out to be the time when the Philippines met a lanky, then-6-foot-9, kid in Sotto.
But over a year later, in May of 2017, Sotto, now 15 years of age and standing at 6-foot-11, already has a glaring achievement in his yet-to-be polished basketball resumé, a SEABA Under-16 crown.
“Isang karangalan na makasama sa lineup na ‘to at marepresent ang Pilipinas,” said Sotto after Batang Gilas’ 83-62 title-clinching victory over the Malaysian youth team Thursday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa parents ko, sa family ko na sinuportahan ako pagpunta dito. Masaya ako na sila ang pamilya ko.”
Ever since Sotto came into the scene last year, expectations shot up right away. Being a pure Filipino with that height at a young age, it was inevitable that he will be a fixture in the national team in various global competitions.
And the 2017 edition of the biennial regional youth cagefest became his welcome party to international ball.
Rising head and shoulders above the competition, Sotto had a promising run in the cagefest. The UAAP Season 79 Juniors Rookie of the Year was averaging 11.6 points, 7.3 boards, and 2.7 blocks in three games, prior to the gold medal match.
But in the title bout against the Malaysians, a different Sotto was unleashed.
Sotto played his best game in the best time, scoring 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting alongside a game-high 12 rebounds in nearly 24, minutes. He also imposed his presence in the defensive end, as he racked up four blocks.
It was indeed a perfect way to cap off his first-ever taste of international play, and a solid display of how his game has developed since that Jr. NBA discovery. And for Sotto, fully living the Gilas way, it was all about heart.
“Yung puso talaga,” said the soft-spoken teenager.
“Kailangan pagpasok mo sa court, may puso ka. Kailangan mo paghirapan lahat ng gagawin mo.”
