Kai Sotto shares how he found his basketball passion by watching his dad play

Kai Sotto would not be playing basketball and representing the Philippines around the world if it weren’t for his father’s own professional career and guidance.

The latest Smart ambassador and young phenom details how his father, PBA’s Ervin Sotto influenced him and made him fall in love with the sport. The former pro basketball player was himself a presence in the paint and was picked in the first round of the PBA Draft in 2004.

“When I started watching my dad play basketball, doon ko na-realize kung gaano kalaki ang impact ng basketball sa buhay ng tatay ko,” shares Kai in a new video for Smart’s Double Giga Stories.

He knew what his lifelong passion would be the first time he played ball. “Once na nag-start akong humawak ng basketball at mag-shoot, doon ko na-realize na ito yung dream ko na ie-enjoy habangbuhay.”

Kai also credits his father and his entire family for making the necessary sacrifices that would allow him to pursue glory in his career.

“Ang promise ko sa kanila is susuklian ko lahat ng mga sacrifice nila,” he says.

Fresh from Gilas Pilipinas’ triumphant 3-0 stint at the Clark Bubble leg of the FIBA Asia Cup, Kai earned positive reviews after showing flashes of brilliance inside the paint. The team is currently training for the Serbia leg happening late June to early July where the former cadets will face host country Serbia and the Dominican Republic.

When out of the international basketball court, Kai pursues his other passions, which include building his Kaiju Academy to train young athletes who want to follow in his footsteps.

Catch Kai and the rest of Gilas Pilipinas Men’s National at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) to be held in Serbia on starting July 30 via gigafest.smart.

Gilas battles Serbia on July 1 at 2:15 a.m. before slugging it out with Dominican Republic on July 2 at 2:30 a.m.

Balancing passion and sharing stories real time

Kai keeps his supporters and friends up to date on his basketball journey with posts and stories. Follow Kai’s lead and be inspired by his passion for basketball by telling your own passion stories with Smart’s Double GIGA Stories.

Double GIGA Stories comes with 2 GB mobile data for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, and Kumu guaranteed every day, plus data for all sites.

Go to the Smart GigaLife App and choose Double GIGA to start.

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Editor's Note: This article was provided by Smart Communications