WHILE taking what his team claimed as a much-needed rest before joining Gilas Pilipinas in preparation for the World Cup, Kai Sotto is undergoing strength and conditioning training, under a noted Filipino noted fitness coach.
Basketball experts and fans alike have noticed Sotto’s lack of aggressiveness and physicality, which are must-haves for players seeking a place in the National Basketball Association.
In a Facebook post on the Fit Twenty One page, Sotto undergoes training with Mel Lantin, strength and conditioning coach of rising professional boxing star Carl Jammes Martin and the basketball team of the UP Junior Maroons.
Martin was also the former coach of the Perpetual Help Altas basketball squad and UAAP teams De La Salle University, Far Eastern University and Ateneo de Manila University.
For those familiar with Lantin’s methods, they believe Sotto is in good hands.
“This one is for sure. Excellent choice of S&C coach” said Eduardo Lim in a Facebook comment.
Sotto has yet to join the Gilas team in full practice after arriving from Las Vegas, where he saw action with the Orlando Magic in the NBA Summer League.
While not making any public announcement, reports from Gilas officials said Sotto’s team is asking for more time to rest his back, which sustained a minor injury during his second game with the Magic.
Sotto’s absence has caused Gilas coach Chot Reyes to worry. He took a swipe at Sotto, comparing him to NBA Jordan Clarkson and saying that the 7’3” Filipino center is no superstar and needs to practice more with the national team preparing for the World Cup set to start on Aug. 25.
On Tuesday, Reyes brought a 12-man Gilas pool team to China, where they get to battle World Cup-bound squads Senegal and Iran in a mini-tournament.
Sotto, though, found an ally in fellow Gilas pool member Kiefer Ravena, who said that Sotto is willing to play for Gilas and asked fans to stop bashing the young player.
“He’s been present naman on some of the practices. Siguro siya lang naman nakakaalam on what his body is going through, pilitin man o hindi, pero ‘yung bata naman willing naman maglaro para sa Pilipinas,” said Ravena in a media interview.