HIGH ON KAI
Much has been said about the potential of this current edition of Gilas Pilipinas, but nobody in the program has drawn so much praise as young big man Kai Sotto.
Three games into the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers, Sotto has emerged as the most efficient big man in the meet, accounting for a 28.7 efficiency rating, only second to Justin Brownlee’s tournament-best average of 33.7.
“Man, I’ve been saying, I feel like he’s good enough to play in the NBA,” the do-it-all naturalized ace said of the 7-foot-3 center.
“He’s got the height, he’s got the size and he’s got the skill. But he’s been improving so much. And for me, that’s really great to see: A young player with so much potential and seeing him fulfill that,” the Barangay Ginebra resident import said, shaking his head in admiration.
Sotto was big in the pulsating 93-89 win over World No. 22 New Zealand, flirting with a triple-double after putting up a two-way performance of 19 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, that went with a steal, and a pair of blocks.
National coach Tim Cone spoke highly of Sotto shortly after the win, which kept Gilas’ win-loss record in the meet pristine at 3-0. But nothing could eclipse the commendation he gave in reimagining Gilas Pilipinas’ game aghhainst Brazil in the semifinal of the Olympic Qualifiers back in July—this time with Sotto in action instead of being on the injured list.
“I thought we would have done a lot better if this guy (pointing to Sotto) hadn’t got hurt,” Cone said. “That (Sotto’s absence) kind of put us behind the eight-ball.”
Game-changer
Sotto hurt his rib after colliding with Georgia’s Goga Bitadze during the group phase, shelving him for the match with the No. 12-ranked Brazilians.
“You can see the effect that Kai has on the game,” Cone said.
“I just love playing June Mar and Kai together. I think it’s so much fun to watch those guys play, they have great synergy between the two of them, and they look for each other and they complement each other and I think, that you know, the two of them work really, really hard to be successful together,” he said.
“You don’t see very many two power-inside guys playing the game together anymore these days. It’s really fun to watch them play. I really enjoy it.”
Fortunately, Gilas and the rest of this basketball-crazed country will have a chance to see more of that and more of what Sotto could become as he is still young.
Sotto gave another glimpse to that in the return match with Hong Kong that was being played at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City as of press time.
“He has got a long way to go, he’s only in his early 20s,” Brownlee said of Sotto. “I’m happy with the way he’s progressing, and I’m excited [about] what the future holds for him.”
