Kai Sotto says it's 'easy to adjust' to Gilas system

It has only been days since Kai Sotto came out from his quarantine to join Gilas Pilipinas at Quest Hotel but the 7-foot-3 wunderkind said he has already adjusted well to head coach Tab Baldwin's system.

Sotto, whose basketball career saw a whirlwind the past few months, said his familiarity with some of his teammates and current assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga helped him have a grasp of the team's game plan for the final window of 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers that start tomorrow.

"I've been alright. It's been really good. The guys in this team are very fun to be with on and off the court," Sotto said.

"For me, it's easy to adjust and play with them since most of them are players I've played with before. Just to see everybody now in the men's national team is just a really good feeling for me."

Sotto, who is tipped to form a lethal frontcourt duo with naturalized big man Angelo Kouame, was supposed to suit up for the national team in February in Qatar, who eventually pulled out from hosting duties due to the alarming rise of COVID-19 cases there.

He then returned to the United States to continue his buildup after his stint with NBA G League Ignite was cut short.

The second-generation baller then struck a multi-year pact with Adelaide 36ers in the NBL but although he's headed Down Under, the 19-year-old slotman made himself available for the flag, as he always does.

Sotto also stressed that despite not playing basketball competitively for months now, his body is still in its top condition.

"I'm still 7-foot-3 even though some are saying that I'm 7-foot-4," he said.

"I'm on a diet and my body fat percentage is much lower now. Before it was 13% now it's down to 6.9%. I'm 235 pounds right now and I think I'm gaining good weight."

Gilas officials have yet to name its 12-man lineup as of posting but Sotto said he's looking forward to possibly teaming up with the 6-foot-10 Kouame as well as other promising big men in the pool.

"It's exciting just to imagine that I can share the court with him (Kouame). Besides Ange, there are really good players out there like Geo Chiu and Carl Tamayo. There's AJ Edu also who is not yet here but I'm excited to play with him again."

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News