Guiao says Sotto can make it to PH Final 12

Guiao says Sotto can make it to PH Final 12

National coach Yeng Guiao said that 16-year-old cager Kai Sotto could still be included to the 12-man Team Pilipinas that will be seeing action in the upcoming fifth window of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asian Qualifiers.

Guiao, also the current head coach of Northern Luzon Expressway believes that the towering 7’1 Sotto is capable of playing with the pro big guys despite his tender age.

“You wouldn’t say he’s just 16 with the way he plays against the bigger players. It’s just right to include him in the national team,” Guiao said in Filipino in a phone interview, pertaining to his observation of the young cager during the national team’s first day of practice on Monday at the Meralco gym.

Sotto is one of the 20 players selected by Guiao for the national Pool. Guiao will declare the Final 12 lineup before the Philippines face Kazakhstan on November 30 and Iran on December 3 in the fifth window of the Asian qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Kai is the son of Ervin Sotto, a 6’7 former standout of Saint Francis De Assisi.

Sotto had an average of 16.4 points and 10.6 rebounds blocks in seven games during the FIBA World U-17 tourney in Argentina in July.

Sotto will be competing against seasoned veterans for a slot in the 12-man Team Pilipinas among them Greg Slaughter (7-footer), June Mar Fajardo (6’11), Christian Standhardinger (6’8), Troy Rosario (6’8), Japeth Aguilar (6’8), Ian Sangalang (6’7) and JP Erram (6’7). JOSEF T. RAMOS