Up close with the future of Philippine basketball

IT’S NOT easy to miss Kai Zachary Sotto.

Already standing 7-feet tall at just 14 years of age, the prodigy is as can’t miss as they come, having already been anointed as the “future of Philippine basketball.”

And he’s only going to get better.

Don’t let last year’s total numbers — 5.6 point, 6.8 rebound and 2.1 blocks per game — fool you as Sotto finished the season strong, averaging 11.3 points per game, 14.2 rebounds and 4.3 blocks in his last six games.

In an exclusive talk with Cebu Daily News, Sotto says the sky is the limit for him, as he seeks to improve more this coming season.

“I will still improve. That’s my goal,” said the soft-spoken giant who gladly obliged with every photo request at the Magis Eagles Arena in Mandaue City, where his team, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eaglets, are playing in the San Remigio Properties Invitational Tournament. “They can expect my game to improve this year.”

Being pegged the future brings with it a lot of pressure, but the son of former PBA big man Ervin Sotto just shrugs it off and instead, chooses to focus on the task at hand — to bring the Blue Eaglets to the promised land in the UAAP.

“I don’t pressure myself. I just do what I am supposed to do. Just go hard always so I can improve and reach the level that I want to achieve,” said Sotto, who anchors a humongous Ateneo de Manila frontcourt that also boasts of 6-foot-9 Geo Chiu.

Asked about the abundance of youth on their squad, Sotto says that it is not a problem as the rookies are already set to contribute on their squad.

“Two years straight that we’re the youngest (team in the UAAP). Now, we’ve been together for two years, The bond is better even with the rookies that we have. I like them because they can contribute and they’re good.”