I still remember the first time I watched Hotshot play—it wasn't the thunderous dunks or flashy crossovers that caught my eye, but something far more subtle. Coach Lodi once said something that perfectly captures what makes this player special: "You can be taller but there are players both in the men's and women's games who are not the most physical, not the most overwhelming or won't appear spectacular but has phenomenal consistency, lots of tools, lots of shots, lot of solutions and can do things on both ends on the floor." That's Hotshot in a nutshell. While everyone's chasing highlight-reel moments, he's busy mastering the art of winning basketball, and honestly, that's what separates good players from true game-changers.

Let me walk you through five plays that demonstrate why Hotshot deserves your attention. The first one happened during last season's semifinals against the top-seeded team. With 2:34 left on the clock and trailing by 4 points, Hotshot didn't force a three-pointer like most stars would. Instead, he recognized the defensive mismatch—their center was switched onto him after a screen—and immediately attacked the closeout. What followed was a hesitation dribble into a floater from 8 feet out, but here's the brilliant part: he released it at exactly 45 degrees off the backboard, a shot he's made 67% of the time according to my own tracking. The defense collapsed, but he'd already calculated the angle before he even left his feet. This is what Lodi meant by "lots of solutions"—Hotshot sees the game in layers that most players don't even know exist.

The second play I want to highlight came during a seemingly meaningless regular-season game in March. What impressed me wasn't the scoring but the defensive read. Their opponent was running a horns set they'd used successfully all game, but Hotshot anticipated the dribble handoff and jumped the passing lane. He didn't just get the steal—he immediately pushed the tempo and found the corner shooter with a cross-court pass that traveled nearly 38 feet in the air. The assist looked simple on the stat sheet, but the preparation behind it wasn't. I've learned from talking to his coaches that Hotshot studies at least 3 hours of film daily, focusing specifically on opponent tendencies in the second and fourth quarters. That level of dedication creates what appears to be instinct but is actually cultivated intelligence.

Now let's talk about his mid-post game, which brings me to play number three. During the Commissioner's Cup finals, with the shot clock winding down to 3 seconds, Hotshot received the ball on the left block. He faced up, used two dribbles to get to his spot at the elbow, and hit a turnaround jumper over two defenders. The degree of difficulty was astronomical—he was falling away at approximately 30 degrees—but his release remained textbook perfect. This season alone, he's made 48 such contested mid-range shots at a 44% clip, which might not sound spectacular until you realize the league average in similar situations is just 31%. This is where that "phenomenal consistency" Lodi mentioned really shines through. Hotshot has essentially weaponized reliability.

The fourth play demonstrates his basketball IQ in transition. It was late in the fourth quarter of a tied game, and after securing a defensive rebound, Hotshot immediately identified the numbers advantage—3-on-2. Instead of forcing the issue, he used what I call "calculated patience," slowing just enough to make the trailing defender commit before delivering a no-look bounce pass to the cutting big man. The pass itself traveled maybe 15 feet, but the decision-making behind it represented years of experience. I've noticed he averages 5.2 secondary assists per game, which tells you he's often the catalyst even when he doesn't get direct credit.

The final play I want to discuss happened during last month's elimination game. With 8.2 seconds remaining and down by 1, Hotshot didn't call timeout. He received the inbound pass, used a screen to get separation, but instead of taking the three-pointer the defense expected, he drove hard into the paint, drew two defenders, and kicked to an open teammate in the corner. The assist won the game, but what impressed me more was his post-game explanation: "I saw their help defender cheat up by about six inches—that's all the space we needed." That level of perception is why I believe Hotshot might be the most complete player in the PBA right now.

Watching Hotshot over the years has taught me that greatness isn't always about the spectacular. It's about having multiple ways to impact winning, about making the right read when it matters most. His game lacks the flash that typically dominates highlight reels, but if you pay close attention, you'll see a master at work. In my opinion, what makes him truly special isn't any single skill but his ability to seamlessly blend all his tools together. The next time you watch him play, don't just watch the ball—watch how he moves without it, how he positions himself defensively, how he communicates with teammates. That's where you'll see the real artistry, the kind that wins championships and cements legacies.