No matter how many people criticize him for it, Kai Sotto will always play for flag and country whenever possible.

This was proven yet again as he reaffirmed his commitment to Gilas Pilipinas in a special press conference on Wednesday, April 21, just minutes after news broke that the Filipino wunderkind is signing a multi-year deal with the Australian NBL’s Adelaide 36ers.

“I would like to announce also that I’m very excited and honored to be joining the Gilas National Team that will be playing this [Olympic Qualifying Tournament] and FIBA Asia Cup,” Sotto said in the media session hosted by Smart.

Despite already being locked to begin NBL obligations as early as August this year, the 18-year-old titan will still find time to practice and play with Gilas likely even for the postponed third window of the Asia Cup qualifiers.

“Alam naman nating lahat ‘pag sinabing Kai Sotto, ito ‘yung batang naglalaro para sa bansa, at ‘yun naman talaga ang goal ko,” he continued.

(We all know when we say Kai Sotto, this is the kid who always plays for the country, and that’s really my goal.)

As pleased as Gilas program director Tab Baldwin is for the young Sotto’s commitment, he admitted that there are a lot of factors to be considered regarding his availability given his current status as an international pro player in an ongoing pandemic.

“There’s tremendous commitment on everybody’s part to make everything work, but there’s a lot of boxes that need to be ticked and in this environment that we’re in with the world today,” said the decorated tactician.

“But everybody should know that everybody has the best intentions to make it work, and Kai has the passion to play for Gilas. Without being able to give specifics, we’re all working towards that.”

Sotto’s commitment actually likely cost him a spot in the NBA G League Ignite roster after he went home to practice for the third FIBA Asia Cup qualifying window before it just got postponed anew.

Regardless, he and his handlers worked hard to get his budding pro career back on track, which culminated in the multi-year signing with Adelaide.

“I’m still in the process of adjusting to everything, but after all of that, I’m still here,” Sotto said. – Rappler.com