ai vision-Kai Sotto looks to shine on the world stage

ai vision-Kai Sotto looks to shine on the world stage

MANILA, Philippines – After proving his worth on the Asian level, towering teenager Kai Sotto takes his act to the global stage when he and the rest of Batang Gilas compete in the 2018 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup in Argentina later this month.

Sotto, who at 16 already stands at 7-foot-1, was a force to reckon with in the 2018 FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship in April. He averaged 16.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game for the Philippines, highlighted by back-to-back 20-20 games against Japan and China.

He was eventually named to the All-Tournament team after powering the Philippines to a fourth-place finish and a spot in the Basketball World Cup. So impressive was the Ateneo Blue Eaglet center that he was branded as potentially "Asia's next Yao Ming."

"The Filipino giant may have fallen short of carrying the Philippines to a podium finish, but he certainly caught the attention of everyone," according to the FIBA website.

However, Sotto knows quite well that the World Cup is an entirely different competition, featuring even better players – some of whom may be headed to the NBA in a couple of years' time.

"Ibang experience rin ito," said Sotto during a recent press conference ahead of the team's departure for Argentina. "Makakalaban namin ang the best of the best."

"Sana, huwag naming makalimutan na isa rin kami doon sa mga the best of the best, kaya kailangan lang namin magkaroon ng kumpiyansa at gawin lang namin 'yung best namin," he added.

According to Sotto, he has been preparing for the World Cup almost from the moment he arrived home after the Asian Championship – thanks in part to the urging of his father, former professional basketball player Ervin Sotto.

"Siyempre, dati ko pa talaga pinaghahandaan 'yan dahil isa 'to talaga sa mga dreams ko. Right after ng FIBA Asia, sinasabi na sa akin ni Daddy na magising na ako dahil padating na 'yung World Cup," said Sotto.

"Every day, right after ng pagbalik namin sa Philippines, pinu-push niya talaga ako, lagi niyang sinasabi na padating na 'yung Gilas Worlds, malaking bagay ako para sa team na 'to," the teenager added.

"Kailangan ko talaga mag-sipag at gawin ko talaga 'yung best ko para matulungan 'tong team na 'to na manalo."

Sotto assures that he met his father's challenge head-on.

"Ginagawa ko naman lahat ng sinasabi niya," said Sotto. "Alam ko namang tama 'yung sinasabi niya, at para sa ikabubuti ko naman."

Sotto and Batang Gilas are already in Argentina, where they are engaging in practice games before the Basketball World Cup officially opens on June 30. The Philippines has been drawn with host Argentina, Croatia, and European champion France in Group D.

They open their campaign against Croatia on June 30 in Rosario, Argentina.

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.

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