Kai Sotto was not prepared to see action in the recent 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers at the Angeles University Foundation Gym in Angeles City.
But the 7’3” Sotto still got high marks from coach Tab Baldwin after Team Philippines completed a 6-game sweep of Group A.
“I think what we saw from him was a young player who has not really prepared well. But, what a heart he has. I mean, first time he tried to score, you could have easily called a foul, and it probably wasn’t either,” said Baldwin.
How he played his heart out could be the reason why Sotto remained in the final cut of the 12-man Gilas Pilipinas lineup that flew on Thursday to Belgrade, Serbia for the coming FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Baldwin took note of how Sotto carried himself in Gilas’ two matches against Korea, while matched up against naturalized cager Ra Gun Ah, a former Philippine Basketball Association import used to be known as Ricardo Ratliffe.
The 6’8” Ratliffe displayed a monster game and physicality in his approach, which somehow put off Sotto’s efforts to protect the middle.
“He was disrupted by the physicality of Ratliffe. And he (Sotto) started to deliver back, and dish back on the physicality. But most importantly, he had the determination to make an impact in the game,” added Baldwin. “It’s a pretty courageous effort by Kai, but we’re going to see a lot of good basketball from him as we move forward.”
So far, LeBron Lopez became the final player to cut from the lineup as Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas unveiled its final 12-man roster that will take on the host team and Dominican Republic on June 30 and July 1, respectively.
With Sotto in the team are Dwight Ramos, RJ Abarrientos, SJ Belangel, William Navarro, Justine Baltazar, Isaac Go, Jordan Heading, Geo Chiu, Mike Nieto, Carl Tamayo and naturalized big man Ange Kouame.