Kai Sotto named to Gilas 12 for Clark game vs Korea

June 16 ------ KAI Sotto is set for his debut with the Gilas Pilipinas men's team in the opening game against Korea on Wednesday in the 2021 Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers. The 7-foot-4 teenager made the cut even if he only had a few days of practice with the Gilas pool since his arrival from the US due to strict quarantine protocols. Still, Gilas head coach Tab Baldwin believes Sotto 'is ready for the opportunity.'

Aside from Sotto, also set to make his long-awaited Gilas seniors debut on Wednesday is newly minted naturalized player Ange Kouame. Also joining Gilas for this first game are second window standouts Dwight Ramos, Justine Baltazar, and Javi Gomez de Liano. Completing the team are team captain Isaac Go, Mike Nieto, William Navarro, Jaydee Tungcab, and debutants SJ Belangel, RJ Abarrientos, and Carl Tamayo.

Jordan Heading, Lebron Lopez, and Geo Chiu will sit out this first game against the Koreans.

At 3-0 in Group A, Gilas needs only one win to formally qualify for the 2021 Fiba Asia Cup, and how sweet would it be for the boys of coach Tab Baldwin to get that ticket at the expense of the Koreans.

Source: spin.ph

From your news staff:

FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers updates:

* Isaac Go named team captain of Gilas for Clark window

* Gilas Pilipinas vs Korea is at 6 PM (Philippine time) at the AUF Gym in Clark, Pampanga

* Jericho Crus scores 20 for 2nd Guam win vs Hong Kong