KAI Sotto is barely 18, yet he takes his 'big brother' role to Sage Tolentino quite seriously.
It is so rare to see not one but two basketball players of Filipino lineage standing over seven feet; it is even more heartwarming to note the two have developed a close bond during their time together in the US.
Sotto found it so natural to gravitate toward Tolentino and Cholo Anonuevo, who joined the teen prodigy in the US workouts arranged by East West Private. Tolentino, 16, is a Fil-American raised in Hawaii while Anonuevo grew up in Ireland.
"I think we with Sage and Cholo have a great relationship together," said Sotto. "If you have Filipino blood, it's always easy to relate and to be around people so that's just a blessing to be one of the Filipinos."

But it is with Tolentino that Sotto finds affinity, perhaps because they are both boys with size rare for Filipinos who have to deal with the same challenges and the same high expectations.
Being about two years older, Sotto has taken it upon himself to be a good example to the younger Tolentino, even if it means outplaying and outworking him during workouts.
"Sage and Cholo joining me was a big thing for me. They told me that they really wanna be here, to follow my path," said Sotto of his two stablemates.

"Especially seeing Sage, I see myself in him when I was 16 years old and I try my best to outplay him and outwork him every workout so he knows how he can be at 18 years old," the 7-foot-2 prodigy added.
The two seven-footers have now gone their separate ways, with Sotto joining another Fil-Am prospect, Jalen Green, in the NBA G League bubble preparing for their debut season with the pioneering Ignite team.
On the other hand, Tolentino has remained in the EWP training camp with Anonuevo as he prepares to go to college. He has received offers from two top basketball programs by far, namely Kentucky and Tennessee State.
But even if they're apart, Sotto is hopeful he and Tolentino can reach the same goal.
"Having Sage by my side is a big thing for me since it also pushes mo to work even harder. to show him that we can both be great players."
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