MANILA – Kai Sotto shared that his time with Gilas Pilipinas during the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) has significantly prepared him and enhanced his confidence as he gears up for the 2024-2025 Japan B.League season.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Sotto emphasized how the experience with the national team “helped him a lot.” Gilas pulled off a major upset by defeating World No. 6 Latvia, 89-80, in front of their home crowd but later fell to Brazil, 60-71, in the semifinals, missing out on a spot for the Olympics.
“I just need to keep working. The confidence I gained from the OQT has really helped me as I approach this season,” the 7-foot-3 Filipino big man explained.
Sotto, who previously played for Hiroshima and Yokohama, is looking forward to his new journey with the Koshigaya Alphas in the B.League.
“I have a big role on this team this year. I’m really excited and ready for the challenge. It’s going to be a significant year for me,” he shared.
However, he acknowledged that there is still work to be done.
“I’ve been here for a month, played a few games already, and we’re still not in our best form yet,” said Sotto.
“We need to continue working on our chemistry and overall game. There’s still time before the season starts. It’s going to be a challenging year, but I trust my teammates, and they all work hard. It’s going to be a fun season,” he added.
Sotto also revealed that Koshigaya’s commitment to his development played a crucial role in his decision to join the team.
“I think Koshigaya had the best offer and plan for me. After speaking with the GM and head coach, I really liked what they laid out, so I decided to join Koshigaya,” he explained.
As for his health, Sotto confirmed that he is “completely healthy.”