FIBA: Kai Sotto 'never said no' to playing for Gilas Pilipinas

Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Kai Sotto goes into action for Gilas Pilipinas in the battle with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Pasay City on August 29, 2022. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File." src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/sports/06/04/20220829-fiba-gilas-saudiarabia-2md_4277-md.jpg"/><figcaption>Kai Sotto goes into action for Gilas Pilipinas in the battle with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Pasay City on August 29, 2022. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File</em>.</figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA -- Gilas Pilipinas center Kai Sotto has addressed his status on whether he would be able to lace up his sneakers for the men’s national team in the FIBA World Cup in August.</p><p>Former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala shared on Sunday a <a href="https://twitter.com/NoliEala/status/1665240983066365953">preview of his interview</a> with the NBA hopeful on his Power &amp; Play program.</p><p>The former Ateneo big man cleared that suiting up for Gilas in the World Cup, which is to be hosted by the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia, is among his top priorities. </p><p>“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 are saying about me not wanting to join, I’m not trying to listen to it,” he said.</p><p>“That’s been my dream ever since I started playing basketball.”</p><p>The 7-foot-3 center of the Hiroshima Dragonflies’ status for the World Cup has been unclear, as he has also been attending training camps in the US where he is preparing for the upcoming NBA Summer League in July. </p><p>He also signed an extension with his team in Japan in a deal that complements his goal of making it into the NBA. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/24/23/bleague-kai-sotto-signs-extension-with-hiroshima">B.League: Kai Sotto signs extension with Hiroshima</a></li></ul><p>On the other hand, the national team will be going back to training next week, which is why Sotto’s presence for the World Cup preparations is still unclear.</p><p>The former Adelaide 36er was not able to join his Gilas teammates during the World Cup Asian Qualifiers last February in Bulacan, and his last suit-up with the squad was during the November Qualifiers against Jordan and Saudi Arabia.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/11/12/22/fiba-kai-sotto-growing-in-maturity-for-gilas-says-chot">Kai Sotto growing in maturity for Gilas, says Chot</a></li></ul><p>Still, Sotto emphasized that he desires to play for Gilas. </p><p>“My top two dreams - make it to the NBA and represent the national team,” the 20-year-old big man bared. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/01/23/dirk-nowtizki-tells-kai-sotto-just-keep-on-working">Dirk Nowtizki tells Kai Sotto -- &#x27;Just keep on working&#x27;</a></li></ul><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2166053" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

Kai Sotto addressed his status on whether he would be able to lace up his sneakers for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup in August.

FIBA: Kai Sotto 'never said no' to playing for Gilas Pilipinas | ABS-CBN

Halalan 2025

Entertainment

News

Metro.Style

Lifestyle

Sports

More

Traffic

Horoscope

Sports

FIBA: Kai Sotto 'never said no' to playing for Gilas Pilipinas

FIBA: Kai Sotto 'never said no' to playing for Gilas Pilipinas

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 04, 2023 07:22 PM PHT

Read More:

basketball

Gilas Pilipinas

Kai Sotto

FIBA World Cup

Chot Reyes

NBA

Japan B.League

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.