Kai Sotto finally suited up for the Philippine men’s basketball team when it took on Lebanon at Meralco gym in Pasig on Sunday, its final tuneup game ahead of the fifth window of the Fiba World Cup 2019 Asian qualifiers.
The 16-year-old Sotto played briefly, starting the third quarter and scoring two points on free throws.
He only had one attempt from the field but it was enough to make a good impression on his teammates and head coach Yeng Guiao.
The reed-thin center, who stands 7-foot-2, took one shot when he tried to dunk on Lebanon big man Ater Majok.
Sotto rued not making the two-handed dunk that would’ve sent the crowd into an uproar but he gave a glimpse of what kind of player he is.
“He actually tried to dunk on the big man of the other team so he’s a fighter for one thing and he doesn’t get intimidated,” Guiao said of Sotto.
“He’s good. I’m excited to see him improve. He’s good, you can’t say that he’s just tall,” said veteran big man Beau Belga.
Sotto was far from satisfied with his showing and he knows he still has a ton of work to do to reach his potential.
“I need to be better at everything,” Sotto said. “My body needs to be stronger and faster. My skills aren’t 100 percent yet.”