‘Sky is the limit’ for this batch of Batang Gilas

Batang Gilas gets grand welcome Tuesday night.

National team coach Chot Reyes believes the latest batch of Batang Gilas will go a long way.

Reyes also said the team’s recent success is just the start of its journey to becoming a member of the men’s squad.

“This is the start. This is just the beginning. Seven, eight years from now they’ll be in the elite,” said Reyes.

“Sky is the limit. The future is very promising for this group.”

And when speaking about potential, it’s impossible not to single out the 7-foot-1 Kai Sotto, who was the driving force behind the young Filipinos’ campaign in the recently-concluded Fiba Under-16 Asian Championship in Foshan, China.

Sotto averaged 16.8 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game, propelling the Philippines to a fourth-place finish.

Batang Gilas’ next stop is the Fiba Under-17 Basketball World Cup in Argentina two months from now.