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MANILA – Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) program director for Gilas Pilipinas Men Tab Baldwin said the national basketball sports association is making its efforts to bring two-meter tall Kai Sotto to the national team as soon as in the February window of the FIBA Asian Cup Qualifiers.
“We’re going to put it in … but there are still ongoing discussions,” Baldwin said Thursday night.
His comments came after Sotto, in a pre-recorded video shown during the online press conference between FIBA and SBP announcing Smart Telecommunications as FIBA’s newest global partner, announced that he is engaging with the senior team of Gilas Men’s.
“I will officially join Gilas, the Philippine national team,” said Sotto, who first played for Gilas’ U-17 and U-19 youth teams.
Sotto is currently part of the NBA G-League career path program, also known as Ignite, along with National Basketball Training Center alumnus Jalen Green.
Ignite finally got to play on Wednesday (Philippine time) with Sotto chipping in five points, five rebounds and two blocks, but the team lost to a group of G-League veterans, 107-113.
Sotto’s availability for the February window depends on Ignite’s January and February schedules and whether the G-League authorizes him to return to the Philippines.
While uncertainty persists, Baldwin remains optimistic that Sotto will eventually return.
“Everyone is hopeful, all the fans, coaches and their teammates. We are all looking forward to welcoming Kai back to the Gilas fold and taking the next step towards 2023 with him,” Baldwin said.
Sotto is being groomed to become a key player for Gilas Men as they are co-hosts of the FIBA World Cup 2023 with Japan and Indonesia.
“I’m really looking forward be with my back ex-teammates and mga PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) Players that I used to idolize (to meet my former teammates and the PBA players that I have idolized ever since), “he said. (PNA)
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