Pakitang Gilas At Home Challenge Grand Winner: Kalye Irving's Talent and Perseverance

Nope. He isn’t related to Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets in the National Basketball Association (NBA) but if you have seen any of this kid’s videos on social media, you would agree that he moves exactly like Kyrie Irving.

In last night’s pilot episode of PinoyligaTV’s podcast, “Bull the Horn” by Benny Benitez, Pinoyliga’s founder Benny Benitez was able to talk to Andrei “Botchok” Ingco or as his Facebook fans know him, Kalye Irving as he is the grand winner of the “Pakitang Gilas At Home Challenge” from which he won an iPhone X.

As a kid lives in Bacoor, Cavite, and goes to school in Las Pinas, Botchok explained to Benitez that his interest in the game of basketball started growing when he used to watch basketball leagues that were being held in their barangay and eventually, he started learning to the game. He also mentioned that he keeps on practicing every single day and even acknowledged one of his uncles as well as some of the coaches in their community who taught him to be the basketball player he is right now. Applauding Botchok’s dribbling skills which are “off the charts”, Benny Benitez asked his guest who is his idol in basketball. Not surprisingly, one of the players whom Botchok idolizes is Kyrie Irving. The other one? Terrence Romeo of the San Miguel Beermen in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)    

And if you’re wondering how he got the moniker “Kalye Irving”, he came from two words: “Kalye” which is the Filipino translation of the English word, “street” and, Irving. According to Botchok, the moniker was given to him because he used to practice on the streets, hence the “Kalye” nickname and that, he moves like Kyrie Irving and when one of his videos went viral on social media, that was when people started calling him Kalye Irving.

Before ending his discussion with the Pinoyliga.com founder, Andrei Ingco used the opportunity to remind aspiring basketball players to keep on practicing and follow the coaches as they know what’s best for their careers.

With all of the exposure that this young star is getting, even the big names in Philippine basketball are taking notice of his talent as Benny Benitez mentioned that basketball stars like Thirdy Ravena and Calvin Oftana chose the sixth-grade Botchok as the winner of the “Pakitang Gilas Home Challenge” and even Coach Tab Baldwin was impressed with the sensational online star. Even the special awardee in the contest, the Landicho family is a fan of Kalye Irving.

Andrei Ingco said that he dreams of being able to play in the PBA and join the likes of Alex Cabagnot, Terrence Romeo, Chris Ross, and the rest of the elite point guards in the league. If he remains perseverant, that will happen. Eventually.

Screenshot is from the Facebook page of Pinoyliga.com