Last Monday, Filipino teen prodigy Kai Sotto made a huge decision in his very young career by skipping college and signing with the G League’s Professional Path program.
The decision may be the best possible way for the 18-year-old Sotto to become the first homegrown Filipino baller to step foot in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
And PBA commissioner Willie Marcial has no problems with Sotto’s move, even if it means that the 7-foot-2 wunderkind will not be able to showcase his skills in Asia’s pay-for-play league.
“Baka nga hindi na makapag-PBA ‘yun eh. Baka dire-diretso na sa NBA ‘yun.
“Natutuwa ako kay Kai, papasok siya sa G League. Malaking bagay ‘yun, baka puwede mag-NBA at malamang maging NBA player siya,” said Marcial during Saturday’s edition of Noli Eala’s Power & Play program over at Radio Singko 92.3 News FM.
Sotto recently turned down formal offers from University of Kentucky, Auburn, DePaul, Boston College, Georgia Tech, and University of South Carolina; along with European ball clubs Real Madrid, Barcelona, Saski Baskonia, and Alba Berlin to enter the G League.
The best center of the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Asia Championship will be teaming up with Filipino-American Jalen Green together with other five-star recruits Daishen Nix and Isaiah Todd.
On the other hand, Kai’s dad Ervin is an eight-year pro in the PBA, having played for clubs Purefoods, Shell, Ginebra, Air21, Alaska, and Petron.
Sotto’s chances of suiting up in the PBA may be as thin as a thread as of the moment, but Marcial doesn’t mind paying the price as long as Sotto can fulfill the nation’s dreams.
“Lalo at meron siyang direksyon, walang problema ‘yun.”
