Kai Sotto leads team to top spot in UAAP Juniors after back-to-back win

The 7-foot-2 center initially scored 30 points and provided eight rebounds during their first win against University of the East (UE) last Wednesday, January 16, but then got a double-double during their most recent game contributing 27 points and 22 rebounds. (File Photo: @kzsotto/Instagram)

Sixteen-year-old Kai Sotto wanted to redeem his team from back-to-back losses against rival National University (NU), so he powered through the Ateneo Blue Eaglets second win in a row for the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 juniors’ basketball tournament during a game last Sunday, January 20 at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan against Far Eastern University (FEU) Diliman. The score ended at 77-61 in favor of Ateneo.

The 7-foot-2 center initially scored 30 points and provided eight rebounds during their first win against University of the East (UE) last Wednesday, January 16, but then got a double-double during their most recent game contributing 27 points and 22 rebounds. Because of this, Sotto received his third appearance in the Chooks-to-Go/NBTC UAAP 24 weekly high school rankings. Joining him in the top five are: NU’s Gerry Abadiano, University of Santo Tomas’ (UST) Mark Nonoy, NU’s Carl Tamayo, and NU’s Terrence Fortea. 

Forthsky Padrigao performed exceptionally during the game as well, making 13 of his 19 point attempts, plus contributing six assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block. The two were assisted by defensive player Ian Espinosa, who provided eight points, five rebounds, four assists, and four steals. At one point in the game, Ateneo led by as much as 22 points.

For FEU-Diliman, RJ Abarrientos, who currently holds the number six spot in the Chooks-to-Go/NBTC UAAP 24 rankings contributed 16 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals, but only shot 4-of-14 from the field. Xyrus Torres and Chiolo Anonuevo both provided ten points for the Baby Tamaraws as well, but it was not enough to add a fifth game to their winning streak.

This triumph led to Ateneo’s move up to the number two spot, which is the same ranking as their opponents.