Kai Sotto 'feels good' to play again in the Philippines

After his overseas stints with the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the Japan B.League and the Orlando Magic in the NBA Summer League, Filipino big man Kai Sotto is back home for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

This will be the first time since the Asian Qualifiers last August 2022 that Sotto will play again in front of his countrymen as he is expected to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas in the World Cup.

"It feels good. Home is home," Sotto said in the "Our Ball Above All" event organized by Puma, when asked about how he feels playing here again.

"Every time I'll play sa bansa, sobrang happy ako. Parang walang pressure. Sobrang enjoy lang. It's good to be home."

(Every time I'll play in the country, I am very happy. It seems like there is no pressure. I just enjoy it. It's good to be home.)

Sotto added that he feels more motivated with the crowd cheering on him, just like the event he attended in Glorietta in Makati.

"Extra energy 'yun sa 'kin, extra motivation to push myself, knowing na there's always a lot of people watching and supporting me," the Filipino big man said.

"Blessing din 'yan and it's also a challenge that I have to do whatever it takes to do my best and make them proud."

(They give me extra energy, extra motivation to push myself, knowing there's a lot of people watching and supporting me. It's also a blessing and a challenge that I have to do whatever it takes to do my best and make them proud.)

Sotto and the rest of the Gilas Pilipinas squad will open their campaign against Dominican Republic at the Philippine Arena, followed by their matches against Angola on August 27 and Italy on August 29 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Along with the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia will also host the group stage matches of the World Cup, while the final phase of the tournament will be held in Manila. The men's basketball World Cup will run until September 10.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News