Kai Sotto makes national team debut in SEABA U16

Highly-touted big man Kai Sotto will be the center of attention when he makes his national team debut in the 2017 SEABA Under-16 Championship next month before a hometown crowd at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The 6-foot-11 Sotto will be tested as he parades his wares for Batang Gilas in the five-day tournament, which unfurls on May 14.

The reedy 15-year-old, son of former PBA veteran Ervin Sotto, has slowly made a name for himself after helping Ateneo make the Final Four in the UAAP Season 79 juniors basketball tournament where he also bagged the Rookie of the Year award.

Batang Gilas is eyeing to rule the tournament for the fourth straight year and qualify for the Fiba Asia U-16 later this year.

The young Filipinos make their debut against Singapore on May 14, takes on Indonesia on May 15 and Thailand on May 17 before wrapping up its campaign against Malaysia on May 18.

The team that finishes with the best record in a single-round robin format wins the title.