By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Kai Sotto just confirmed through his Instagram video post that he will be flying home to the Philippines and play for Gilas Pilipinas in the upcoming 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers February window.
Previous months ago, Sotto already committed to join Gilas but did not disclose the exact window of when he will he boost the squad’s frontcourt.
Also, his NBA G-League practice schedule and scrimmages under the helm of head coach Brian Shaw provided him with a heavy load the past months, reason why his return to the PH got delayed.
“I’m heading home soon. Sobrang excited ako na binigyan ng opportunity para makapaglaro sa Gilas ngayong February window. Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng sumusuporta at naniniwala sa along pangarap na makapaglaro para sa bayan at sa tamang panahon, sa NBA,” Sotto said.
Sotto will be making his national team return since leading the Batang Gilas squad together with Dave Ildefonso and will be reuniting with his seniors in the program.
In the absence of some of the staple bigs in Gilas from the PBA, Sotto will try to lead and share his experience with new members’ Justine Baltazar, Isaac Go, and William Navarro.
The only PBA players who can fill the four to five spot and already joined the Calamba bubble are Raul Soyud, Troy Rosario, and Justin Chua.
