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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider SBP chief Al Panlilio extends all-out support for Kai Sotto

SBP chief Al Panlilio extends all-out support for Kai Sotto

Published May 16, 2020 12:00 am
By Jan Carlo Anolin The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) expressed its all-out support for Filipino prodigy Kai Sotto, who aims to be the first homegrown Filipino to join the NBA. Kai Sotto of the Philippines puts up a shot against Serbia (FIBA.com photo) Kai Sotto of the Philippines #19 (FIBA Images) SBP welcomed Sotto’s decision to sign with the NBA G League select team after a year of staying in the US to improve his basketball skills. Sotto had to reject offers from several NCAA Division I schools to take the “best route” in fulfilling his NBA dreams. “The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is one with all Filipino basketball fans in expressing our all-out support for Kai Sotto as he takes the next big step in his career,” said Al Panlilio, SBP president, in a statement. https://twitter.com/officialSBPinc/status/1261567370549592064 In his national team debut, the 18-year-old Sotto played a huge part in bagging the gold medal with Batang Gilas in the 2017 SEABA Under-16 Championship. “We had a front row seat in seeing Kai grow through our Gilas Pilipinas Youth program and we’re hopeful that his development will continue further in the NBA G League not just as a basketball player but as a young man as well,” said Panlilio. Sotto also led the Philippines to a fourth place finish in the FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship in 2018. The former Ateneo standout also suited up for the national team in the 2018 FIBA Under-17 World Cup and 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup that settled for 13th and 14th place respectively. “Kai will be a huge part of the future of Philippine basketball so his success will be entirely the country’s too," Panlilio added.
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