6-foot-11 enigma Kai Sotto made his international debut on Sunday afternoon when Batang Gilas took on Singapore in the second game of the 2017 SEABA U-16 Championship. And the 15-year-old, who had celebrated his birthday just three days ago, made it his personal celebration.
Sotto, who studies and players for the Ateneo de Manila University, finished the game with 17 points on 7-for-13 shooting, five rebounds, and three swats, to lead Batang Gilas to a 108-42 win. And he was just happy to get this game under his belt.
“Masaya ako sa first game ko na maganda yung start namin, lahat kami nage-enjoy tsaka maganda yung laro namin,” the tallest player in the five-nation meet said.
“Kaya sobrang excited pa ako sa next games pa namin, na alam ko na ganito ang tinatakbo namin.”
“Okay yung nilaro ni Kai,” Batang Gilas head coach Mike Oliver remarked.
“Na-control natin ang rebounds because of Kai Sotto, and we also dominated sa defense natin sa shaded area.”
However, standing at 210 centimeters has its cons, as the defense he faces are much more physical compared to his teammates. But for him, he was ready for it.
“Ine-expect ko rin na magiging physical sila sa akin kasi siguro yun yung parang unang-unang sasabihin ng coach nila pag sinabing babantayan ako,” the UAAP Season 79 Rookie of the Year shared.
“Buti tinutulungan ako ng mga teammates ko na bigyan ako ng kumpyansa, at tinutulungan nila ako sa loob ng court para mas madalian ako sa trabaho ko.”
And with the way the team is running, Sotto is just excited for their next four games.
“Para sa akin siguro, dadagdagan pa siyempre yung effort, tutulungan ko pa lalo ang team ko,” the young center furthered.
Sotto and Batang Gilas will next face Indonesia on Monday, May 15, at 12:00nn.
