Sotto earns triple double as Eaglets take Game 1 vs NU

Kai Sotto threw a block party, scoring 22 points with 16 rebounds and 11 big blocks to lead the Ateneo Blue Eaglets to an 86-70 victory over the NU Bullpups in the finals of the UAAP Juniors Basketball competition.

Sean Ildefonso added 21 points, while SJ Belangel tallied 17. Jason Credo rounded up the Eaglets in double figures with 13. Ateneo shot a high 44 percent from the field, thanks to Sotto’s 75 percent clip off a 9 of 12 performance.

The Bullpups held an early lead, finishing the opening period with a 17-11 advantage. Ateneo, however, clamped down on defense in the second, allowing just 14 points while posting 20 to tie the game at the half, 31-all. Sean Ildefonso and Kai Sotto then combined for 20 of Ateneo’s 30 third quarter points, allowing the Eaglets to take a double-digit advantage heading into the final frame, 61-51.

In the fourth, Jason Credo took over for the Eaglets, hitting nine to allow his team to outscore NU, 25-19, to earn the victory.

Terrence Fortea tallied 21 points to lead the Bullpups, while Miguel Ozcon and Rhayyan Amsali added 13 and 11 points, respectively. The Bullpups shot 33 percent from the field, struggling from beyond the arc with a 5 of 29 clip. — DVM, GMA News