The Filipino wunderkind arrived unaccompanied late Monday evening from Dallas as he will remain with the national team until after the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Belgrade, Serbia slated from June 29 to July 4.

“First time ko na makakalaro sa national team. Sobrang excited. Hindi ako makapaghintay na makasama yung team,” Sotto said. 

The plan is that Sotto will be joining the national pool that is currently training at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba for the Asia Cup qualifiers set from June 16 to 20 in Clark, however, the 7-foot-3 baller will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine, leaving him with insufficient time to practice with the squad. 

“Depende na sa ano kung may mababago pa, pero ako, kahit anong mangyari, stay ready pa rin ako maglaro kahit kailan pa ‘yan na nandito ako sa Pilipinas,” Sotto said of his expectations about joining Gilas in the Asia Cup qualifiers.

Whatever may happen, Sotto expressed that he is always ready to be called up by Gilas anytime. 

“Whatever happens, I’ll stay ready to play whenever. I’m here for the Philippines,” he averred.

Once his duty for the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers is done with, the Adelaide 36ers signee shared that he is flying back to Australia to start training with his new professional team, the Adelaide 36ers, for the National Basketball League.