PBA bigs says future is bright with Kai Sotto, other young guns around

A number of PBA big men all agreed that NBA G League bound Kai Sotto is among the future stars of Philippine basketball.

In an online talk, Marc Pingris, Asi Taulava, Poy Erram, June Mar Fajardo and Beau Belga, who all became part of the Philippine national team talked, about the upcoming stars who will take their place.

"For sure si Kai nandu'n," said San Miguel Beer star Fajardo. "Sobrang ganda ng training ni Kai ngayon, baka ako pa turuan nu'n."

Sotto, who recently announced he'll be joining the G League, has been part of Batang Gilas juniors team.

The 7-foot-2 center has shown vast potential that even former Gilas Pilipinas head coach Yeng Guiao listed him as part of the men's national pool in the run-up to the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

Besides Sotto, Taulava said Thirdy Ravena could be a future centerpiece, too, of Gilas.

"I think they're going to be the one or two who's going to be carrying the team," said Taulava.

Erram added: "Siyempre sila CJ Perez, hindi lang naman sa big man pero sa mga guards din. We stick to those guys (din) like sila CJ, sila Thirdy, sila (Robert) Bolick, sila Kiefer (Ravena)."

Meanwhile, Belga said Isaac Go could be an "enforcer" just like him.

"Excited ako sa kanya kasi nakasama ko siya sa Mighty (Sports). Naging roommate kami and nakita ko 'yung work ethic ng bata. Medyo aggressive siya para sa edad niya," Belga said.

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Pingris feels sorry as son watches him fight

MANILA, Philippines - San Mig Coffee forward Marc Pingris felt sorry for his involvement in the fight that marred the Mixers' 102-88 win over GlobalPort Batang Pier Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Pingris got into a fist-fight altercation with GlobalPort's Kelly Nabong that led to their ejection in the early part of the third quarter.

Pingris was so bothered after getting back into his senses especially after his five-year old son called him.

"Ina-accept ko yung nagawa kong pagkakamali. Sana hindi lang ako kundi pati rin yung mga ibang players kasi hindi maganda para sa mga batang nanonood," Pingris told reporters after emerging from their locker room.

"Tumawag nga yung 5 years old kong anak eh, si Jean-Michele. Sabi niya, 'Dad what happened? Bakit niyo sinuntok yung guy," Pingris recounted.

Pingris carefully explained himself to his son and asked for forgiveness.

"Sorry kako, nagulat ako, nabigla ako kasi inaway niya ang teammate ko. Sabi ko don't do that to your classmates and friends. It's bad kako. So next time, ko-control-in ko sarili ko. Pinagalitan niya ako, akala mo siya yung tatay. 'Don't do that ha, that's bad ha' guma-ganun siya eh," Pingris said.

"Yes anak," was all Pingris answered after he got an earful from his five-year old son, who caught the whole action on TV at home.

"Minsan nangyayari talaga sa player yun. Wala eh. Kailangan talaga control-in ang emotions mo," said the 31-year old San Mig Coffee big man.

Pingris, who was part of the Gilas Pilipinas that won silver in the FIBA Asia Championship, has learned from this unfortunate incident that tainted his image.

"May nakuha akong aral sa game na 'to. Siguro mahal ko lang talaga mga teammates ko kaya nangyari 'yun. Nakita ko silang sinasaktan, aawat ako tapos biglang nakita kong pumorma. Nabigla lang talaga ako," Pingris said.

"Prinotektahan ko lang ang mga teammates ko. Wala eh, sa huli talaga ang pagsisisi di ba?"

San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone talked to Pingris after the game and asked him to play smart next time.

"Nag-sorry ako kay Coach Tim after the game and sabi niya naiintindihan niya na prinotektahan ko lang ang mga teammates ko but I need to be smart dahil kailangan nga nila ako," Pingris said.

PBA Commissioner Chito Salud has summoned Pingris, Nabong and the other players involved in the altercation to appear in his office on Thursday.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com