Though Kai Sotto will be missed, Chooks-to-Go president Ronald Mascariñas is nonetheless happy and proud that the 7-foot-2 teen sensation is now on the threshold of fulfilling his childhood dream.
Kai Sotto (left) and Chooks-to-Go president Ronald Mascariñas.
Sotto’s joining the NBA League’s Professional Path program, according to Mascarinas, brought light to a country experiencing one of the darkest chapters in its history.
“In this time of a crisis, the news of him joining the G League was a development that brought light to our country,” said Mascarinas. “It is the road less taken but I know that Kai had his family in mind when he made the decision to join the G League.”
Apart from inching closer to his dream of playing in the NBA, the 7-foot-2 Sotto will become the youngest Filipino millionaire-athlete.
The former Ateneo standout turned 18 only last Monday.
Reports have it that Sotto, who bulked up after months of intense training in the US, stands to receive more than $200,000 (P10 million) in a five-month stint.
“Being a Filipino, he has a sense of responsibility to give back to his parents. For Kai, this is his way of making Ervin and Pamela proud,” added Mascarinas, who helped finance Sotto’s training abroad.
He recalled that during their first meeting, the then 15-year-old Sotto was already stunningly tall.
“When I first met with Kai and his family, I immediately thought that he was going to be special. And it’s not because of his height,” said Mascariñas. “At such a young age, Kai already knew that he had a responsibility to his family and his country.”
Sotto’s dream of playing in the NBA and his desire to help his family was enough to convince Mascacinas.
“It was his determination to carry the nation’s dream of producing an NBA player that made us decide to support him,” he added.
Mascarinas even labeled Sotto as the Yao Ming of the Philippines, one who can be an inspiration to all young Filipino ballers.
