Kai Sotto impressed in Gilas men's debut, says coach Tab Baldwin

Kai Sotto made a great impression in his Gilas Pilipinas men's team debut.

The 7-foot-3 teen prodigy was a key cog in the Philippines' 3-0 sweep of the third and final window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers and his finesse showing got himself praise from head coach Tab Baldwin.

"Both individually and system-wise, he is still learning but what a smart kid. He picks things up extremely fast," Baldwin said of Sotto.

"I think we're all impressed by how quickly he has learned the basics of our system, without maybe learning the nuances of it."

In their opening game against South Korea last Wednesday, the second-generation baller chalked up 11 points, seven rebounds, and two assists en route to an 81-78 win, which was sealed by a dagger from SJ Belangel.

Against Indonesia, though, the 19-year-old Sotto logged a more modest statline as he notched seven points, seven rebounds, two assists and a block in a 76-51 victory.

Gilas faced South Korea anew on Sunday and Sotto did not disappoint.

The Adelaide 36ers signee registered 10 markers and seven rebounds to help Gilas Pilipinas sweep all three of their final window game to finish at 6-0 in Group A.

Baldwin, though, said that the teen sensation still has a lot to work on, though he's on the right path.

“Kai is going to have to learn a little bit more about his finesse game. He is trying to go to a power game and he is not a power player yet," he said.

"But it’s good that he has that mentality. It’s good that he has that toughness. I’m really impressed with how tough he is. I didn’t expect that."

Gilas has yet to finalize the 12-man lineup it will use in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade, Serbia in late June, but Baldwin said he's confident Sotto would learn a great deal when he goes up against more elite big men in the OQT.

"His competitive spirit is really admirable. I think he and for all the players, going up against Serbia and Dominican Republic will be a great learning experience," he said.

"Our job is to compete and to try to figure out ways to compete and I know that's possible. I have no doubt that Kai will reflect that attitude."

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News