As a parent, the personal advancement of the family – the children in this case – is primary concern.
Therefore, when superboy Kai did not suit up for the 6th window of the FIBA WC Asian qualifiers – following his contract signing with the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the Japan B. League – we assume that his folks chose for him to advance his personal career first.
After splitting the two matches – one win over Lebanon and one loss versus Jordan – coach Chot Reyes announced no one is a shoo-in for the final Gilas roster for the 2023 August FIBA World Chamnpionships proper which the Philippines is co-hosting alongside Japan and Indonesia.
Particularizing the slot for the naturalized player, Reyes wants to know categorically from the 7’3” Pinoy slotman whether he is suiting up or not.
It is a good and timely question because it will afford the SBP, Reyes and the coaching staff to promptly scout for a big man (like Andre Blatche) should Kai reneges on his patriotic duty.
The ball is in Sotto’s court.
If he nods and wears the national uniform, Reyes, Cone and deputies will find it easier to decipher the situation they are in.
Enjoying home court edge happily, Gilas must survive the group preiminaries and move into the quarters where the battle becomes tougher.
If Sotto is in (Japhet and Fajardo are also healthy and will play), Reyes can pick out JB over JC without incurring some bashing from his basketball-crazy countrymen.
JB’s 41 point output was no joke, guys. You saw Jordan field in taller and heftier Falcons against the small-sized Pinoy quintet and you witnessed how the Ginebra import sniped from all angles and penetrated the narrow defensive fortress of the enemy.
Ok, in my previous piece, i picked JC because his legendary reputation (NBA Sixth Man) precedes him. The opponent will be wary of Clarkson. His touted NBA numbers as a Utah Jazz star point guard are also not a joke.
Anyway…JC or JB won’t matter as long as Sotto plays. This is how Reyes’ argument goes.
The center space won’t have a vacuum as Japhet (6’9”) and many-time PBA MVP JunMar (6’10”) will strategically complement Kai in that regard.
Basically, basketball is about successfully putting the ball on the floor – amidst the defensive pressure – and dribbling it into the front court.
Without adept and expert ballhandlers (India for instance), a team will suffer a lethargic handicap that could ultimately lead to a sorry loss.
Bless his soul, Reyes is so lucky he has plenty of skilled and athletic frontliners to choose from.
(That is why I see no reason why the Philippines cannot successfully stamp its superiority and reclaim its basketball diadem in the Cambodia SEA Games.)
Yes, Pinoys highly appreciate the heroic deeds of those who put the country over and above personal career. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
