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FILE PHOTO – Kai Sotto playing for Gilas Pilipinas youth —FIBA.BASKETBALL
MANILA, Philippines – Kai Sotto indicated that he will make his senior debut and join Gilas Pilipinas for the February window of the 2021 Fiba Cup Asia Qualifiers.
During a virtual press conference on Thursday, Sotto appeared in a video clip in which he said he will join the Philippines in their campaign in the continental competition.
“I will join the national team. I’m excited. I hope we do our best. This is a very special moment for all of us, ”said Sotto during the press announcing the partnership between Fiba and Smart.
The 7-foot-2 is currently in the United States training with the NBA G League Ignite team in preparation for the upcoming 2021 developmental league season.
Sotto, who already has an established presence in youth competitions, has yet to play at the senior level, but the 18-year-old is seen as a great help to Gilas, especially below.
Gilas has scheduled matches against tormenting South Korea and Indonesia in Clark’s bubble.
Tab Baldwin, program director for Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, said Sotto’s debut with Gilas is a welcome development, but they have yet to fix his availability as the lanky center is committed to Ignite.
“At this point, you have listened to Kai and he said he will be available. Obviously this is the first step. We would like to think that we fully believe that it will be there in February, but there are still ongoing discussions, “said Baldwin.
Gilas is at the top of Group A with a 3-0 record and it’s thanks in large part to the team’s perfect two-game streak in the November window in Manama, Bahrain, with those two wins both against Thailand.
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