Ateneo de Manila University standout Zane Kallos is focused on his school’s campaign in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament, despite his emergence as the frontrunner for the division’s Most Valuable Player award.
Kallos, the son of coach John Kallos—who previously handled the San Sebastian Stags and Adamson Lady Falcons—accumulated 99.429 statistical points by the end of the first round. In seven games, he averaged 14.71 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.86 steals.
His closest rival, Andwele Cabañero of University of Santo Tomas, follows with 88.714 SPs, having recorded 132 points, 67 rebounds, and 32 assists.
For Kallos, however, personal accolades take a backseat to helping the Blue Eagles achieve their primary goal of reaching the semifinals. He credits his team for his individual success.
“Sobrang grateful po ako dahil sa opportunity na binibigay sa akin ng mga coaches ko at mga teammates ko. Lagi po yung teammates ko at mga coaches naka-support sa akin. Tinutulungan nila ako. Tinuturuan nila ako. Lagi po sila nandiyan para sa akin,” the 16-year-old guard shared.
“Siguro po yun second na lang yun sa akin kasi yung goal po talaga namin as a team is to make the Final Four po. Yun po talaga yung goal namin.”
Kallos carried his strong form into the second round, leading Ateneo to a 78-60 win over University of the Philippines Integrated School last Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. He finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and a block.
When asked about his protégé’s performance and current standing, Ateneo coach Reggie Aromin expressed pride in Kallos and praised his selfless attitude, as evidenced by his hard-fought game against UPIS.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“I appreciated that because for a young man at his age, ganun na siya mag-isip. It brings joy to the coaches that he’s thinking of the team first more than himself. Sa kanya, it just so happened na sa kanya yung bulk of the points and the rebounds, but putting the team first, okay kami dun. Wala kaming problema. So happy for that,” Aromin said.
“That’s very important because yung unselfishness mo, yung pagiging selfless mong player, that will make you a better teammate and a valuable asset to any team. Kasi if you will think of your individual glory first, ayaw mong gawin yung dapat mong gawin.”
He added, “Unlike this guy, na pag sinabi namin dive, mag-dive siya. Madumi nanaman ang damit niya dahil duma-dive siya. Bawal sa amin malinis na damit pagkatapos ng game eh. Kailangan madumi yan kasi nag-dive ka. That’s important.”
As Ateneo holds a 4-4 record after eight games, Kallos emphasized that he and his teammates need to improve their consistency to secure a spot in the Final Four. He pointed out one area where the team could do better.
“As you know naman po, we’re a young team, so yung decision-making namin as a team, lalo na pag dumadating na yung fourth quarter, minsan nawawala po kami. But we’re working on it na po,” he explained.
Though Kallos is making a name for himself with his on-court statistics, he highlighted the importance of improving his leadership—a quality that cannot be measured. He looks to his father’s past players as role models in this regard.
“Leadership ng mga players niya dati. Yung pagiging leader ng mga players niya sa mga kakampi nila. Yun po siguro yung gusto kong kunin,” he said.
