THE promising combo of Kai Sotto and Ej Edu will be tested as the Batang Gilas squad plunge into action against Lebanon at the start of the International Basketball Federation Under-18 Asian Championship today in Nonthaburi, Thailand.
Towering at 7-foot-1 and 6-foot-10, respectively, Sotto and Edu take their act to the continental stage for a chance to tow the national team to a trip to the Under-19 World Cup.
Together with the best local players in their age group, the duo will try to drag the team to a good finish in the elimination phase. Batang Gilas and Lebanon are in Group B with China and the United Arab Emirates.
If they push through the playoffs, they need to land at least at fourth place to secure a seat in the World Cup.
Joining the frontcourt of one of the tallest teams ever assembled are 6-foot-8 Geo Chiu, 6-foot-7 Carl Tamayo and 6-foot-7 Raven Cortez.
Manning the backcourt are Miguel Andre Oczon, Dalph Panopio, Gerry Abadiano and Xyrus Torres, and completing the roster are Joshua Ramirez, Rhayyan Amsali and Sean Dave Ildefonso. The team is coached by Josh Reyes.
Fresh from finishing 13th overall in the Under-17 World Cup in Argentina last month, Batang Gilas is expected to rely on its speed and its unlikely tall ceiling.
Sotto made noise in Argentina, where he averaged 16.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks. His impressive numbers have drawn interest from US NCAA Division 1 scouts, according to a report from Fiba.com.
The Filipino-Nigerian Edu, meanwhile, played in England in his early basketball years. He had worn the national colors once during the Fiba 3×3 Under-18 World Cup, where the country finished seventh.