By REYNALD MAGALLON
Kai Sotto assured he’ll be ready every time the flag and country calls his name.
The 7-foot-3 Gilas Pilipinas center has finally cleared the air regarding his participation to the national team for the 2023 FIBA World Cup which the country will be co-hosting with Japan and Indonesia in August.
“First of all I’ve never said no to representing my country, I’ve been playing for my country ever since I was 14-years old. I don’t get what other people say about me not wanting to join (for the World Cup),” stressed Sotto in a teaser of his interview released by Power and Play with Kom Noli Eala on Sunday, June 4.
There were talks of concerns on Sotto’s availability for the national team as he embarked on another journey towards his NBA dream which also happened to run smack into the start of Gilas preparations for the global meet.
Sotto is currently in the US and actually participated in the Utah Jazz’s training camp. He is also expected to join more camps of other NBA teams as he tries to make his way to the NBA after failing in his first try after going undrafted in the 2022 NBA rookie draft.
Gilas, on the other hand, is set to formally start its preparations for the World Cup on June 7.
National team head coach Chot Reyes had earlier stressed that pool members should join the training for an extended period of time in order to be in consideration for the final roster.
Although still noncommittal on when he will rejoin the national team, Sotto, on the other hand, stressed that he’s trying to focus on what’s in front of him for now.
“I’m trying not to listen to it. I’m just focusing on the present. I don’t want to focus much on the other stuff but Tony can explain more about that,” added Sotto referring to Tony Ronzone of the sports agency Wasserman who joined Sotto during the interview.
“But yeah, I’ve never said no to playing for my country because that has be
