Eaglets win; PAL Interclub trivia

By Al S. Mendoza

 

ATENEO just won the UAAP junior basketball crown over National University (NU) but not after Kai Sotto imposed his 7-foot-1 frame and SJ Belangel uncorked his patented finishing kick.

With the score tied at 58-58 time down to 25.3 seconds, Sotto scored on a foul-baiting putback following a missed drive by Belangel.

Sotto completed the three-point play for Ateneo’s 61-58 advantage.

Before Sotto’s go-ahead points, Belangel opened Ateneo’s championship door with his own three-point blast to tie the count at 58-58.

Not content with his heroics, Belangel, the amazing 5-foot-11 find from Bacolod who is due to join Ateneo’s college team this season, went for his usual daredevil drive.

Although he missed it, Belangel, 18, drew a foul.

Bucking nerves, Belangel buried his two pressure-packed charities for the final 63-58 Ateneo victory, securing their first title in three years.

The win also made Ateneo a rare double champion after the Eagles had earlier pocketed the UAAP seniors basketball crown, beating arch-rival La Salle in the finals.

Only 15, Sotto still has three more years of stay in the Ateneo junior ranks.

With his vast talents, he is predicted to lead the Eaglets to more victories.

The good thing about Sotto is, he is not a freak unlike other extra-tall players before him.

Before Sotto, the 6-foot-10 June Mar Fajardo has proven to be a Pinoy giant with legitimate moves and skills.

Include Japeth Aguilar.

Like Fajardo of San Miguel Beer and Sotto, Ginebra’s Aguilar is also of pure Filipino parentage.

And, at 6-foot-9, Aguilar isn’t likewise a freak.

But while Fajardo and Aguilar have already established their footholds in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Sotto still has a long way to go.

Talk is rife that Sotto wants to enter America’s National Basketball Association (NBA).

And why not?

At 7-foot-1 and only 15, Sotto is sure to grow some more.

In the NBA, if you have the height, you are almost a shoo-in draftee.

Well, let’s see.  Sotto has seven years at least to complete his Ateneo stint, including college.

Now, you may ask:  How come Sotto has grown this tall?

Well, his father Earvin, a former PBA player, is 6-foot-8.  And Kai’s mother is 6-foot-2.

Any further questions?

*                *                *                *

OK, a little bragging lang, fellas.  The famed PAL Interclub, the national team golf championship ending today in Bacolod (I arrived here on March 4), had its usual PAL Media Golf staged March 5-6.  I finished third but it felt like I won the crown.  

My rally fell short but it gave me a thrill nonetheless.  I was down six shots after Round 1.  I ended up three behind the two co-winners after Round 2.  No complaints.  I haven’t been playing. 

Golf is the most jealous game in town.  You leave it even for only a week, it will desert you.  PAL President Jaime J. Bautista only knows that too well.  Jake P. Ayson, too.

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