Kai Sotto set to debut for Gilas Men’s team on February 18 against Korea

Kai Sotto is set to make his first appearance for the Gilas Pilipinas Men’s team at the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers scheduled from February 17 to 23 in Doha, Qatar.

The 18-year old Filipino wunderkind arrived at the country last week and is currently serving quarantine time before joining the national team training pool at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.

Gilas takes on Korea on February 18 (10pm – PHI time), Indonesia on the 20th (4pm – PHI time) and then Korea again on the 22nd (10pm – PHI time).

All games will be played at the Al-Gharafa Sports Club Multipurpose Hall.

PBA players Kiefer Ravena, CJ Perez, RR Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Justin Chua and Raul Soyud spearhead the 20-man pool also composed of cadets Dwight Ramos, Juan Gomez de Liano, and Justine Baltazar.

Naturalization candidate Angelo Kouame is practicing with the squad but won’t be eligible for the 3rd window.

“He won’t be able to make it in this window but our hope is by the August FIBA event in Indonesia (2021 FIBA Asia Cup) Ange will be available,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio.

Gilas carries a 3-0 win-loss record in the qualifiers and would need one more victory to formalize its entry into the tournament proper which is set in Indonesia this coming August.