By Rey C. Lachica
With Kai Sotto at the center of everything, beating the Ateneo Eaglets in the UAAP juniors basketball tournament has been likened to a trek to Mt. Everest.
This early, the 7-foot Sotto is considered as the next big thing in Philippine basketball – in the mold of San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo.
Toughened by various stints abroad, the lean-framed Sotto has shown glimpses of things he can do best in the future.
With Sotto’s improved plays – not to mention his growing confidence – the Eaglets look invincible.
Not anymore.
The NU Bullpups did the unthinkable by beating the Eaglets two in a row – the latest was a 78-71 win last Sunday to kick off the second elimination round at The Arena in San Juan City.
As usual, Sotto was at his best with 22 point, 18 boards, five assists and three blocks.
NU coach Goldwyn Monteverde did a remarkable job as he put more emphasis on team plays than allow the Bullpups to shine individually.
Heroes came in different sizes for NU, led by 6-foot-8 Carl Tamayo, Gerry Abadiano, Terrence Fortea and Ernest Felicida.
Monteverde, however, downplayed the team’s back-to-back wins against the reigning champions, saying they achieved nothing yet.
“Elimination pa lang, it’s not yet the finals,” said Monteverde.
The good run of the Bullpups could well be attributed to the total support of NU management not only to the caretakers of the team but also to its ball boys.
“We treated each other like a family, walang star star sa amin. Kahit ball boys they’re still part of the family,” said team coordinator Edster Sy. “That’s how the team’s caretaker motivates the team. Family-oriented talaga.”
Freego’s Eduard Tio, however, refused to be swayed by the team’s early success, saying: “As coach Gold said ‘we’re still far away from our goal.’ We have to be consistent.”
For now, Tio and Monteverde are thrilled that the Bullpups are currently leading the standings – perhaps enjoying the view from the top.
