Eighteen-year-old Kai Sotto is setting his sights on being part of the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team by February.
Sotto said this a few days after Team Ignite began practicing to get ready for the National Basketball Association G-League season next month.
“I’m super excited to announce that I’m officially joining Gilas. I’m looking forward, na makasama ko ang former teammates ko,” said the 7’2” Sotto during a break in his practice in Walnut Creek, California.
Sotto made his intentions known during a web conference, where FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, and Smart, the Philippines’ leading mobile services provider, announced a new global partnership ahead of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
National team consultant Tab Baldwin said they are studying the possibility of Sotto joining them in the February window of the FIBA World Cup 2023 qualifiers.
The third window is set on February next year, as they will face the Koreans twice.
The next stage of the qualifiers is slated in Clark, Pampanga. Gilas will take on Korea on Feb. 18 and 22, 2021.
To make it to the tournament proper, the Philippine national team needs to win only one of its three games in the window to qualify in the Asia Cup proper next year in August.
Sotto is currently in a squad composed of top prospects for future rookie drafts of the NBA.
They include Jonathan Kuminga and Jalen Green.
Kuminga, 6’8” forward from Congo and among the top 10 rookie draft prospects, had 26 points, making 11 of his 15 shots, along with eight rebounds.
Green, a Fil-American guard who is seen as among the hottest recruits in for 2020, added 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting along with seven boards.
This four-year partnership between Smart and FIBA will run through until December 31, 2023.
Under the terms of the agreement, Smart is granted exclusivity in the category of telecommunications worldwide.
Present at yesterday’s virtual press conference announcement were Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT Chairman, SBP Chairman Emeritus and FIBA Central Board Member; Alfredo S. Panlilio, Smart President and CEO and SBP President; and FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis.
“Our partnership with FIBA is a milestone for the whole nation, just as it is for our company. Through Smart’s mobile innovations, we look forward to introducing immersive digital experiences that will bring hardcourt action to the fingertips of basketball fans around the world and connect us all in our love for the sport,” said Pangilinan.
Panlilio said that this is a milestone not only for Smart but, more importantly, for the nation.
“This is a huge step in bringing our athletes closer to the world stage. Smart has always been at the forefront when it comes to supporting Filipino athletes and their journey to greatness,” said Panlilio.
“We are extremely pleased to welcome Smart Communications as a FIBA Global Partner. Joining forces with a leading telecommunications company such as Smart will bring unrivalled opportunities in the lead up to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023,” said Zagklis.
