SISIMULAN sa Biyernes ng Mighty Sports Philippines team ang kampanya sa 2020 Dubai International Baskeball Tournament laban sa UAE National Team nang walang Kai Sotto sa lineup.

Ito’y matapos ihayag kahapon na nabigo ang koponan na makuha ang serbisyo ng 7’2” player, na nauna nang naghayag ng kagustuhang makasama sa nasabing torneo.

“The Mighty Sports – Creative Pacific Team assures its supporters in the Philippines and the Filipino community in Dubai that this development was beyond its control and this sudden change of circumstances with Kai’s non-inclusion will not affect its chances in the championships as the team is still equally competitive,” nakasaad sa official statement ng team management.

Sa kabila nito, kumpiyansa pa rin si head coach Charles Tiu sa tsansa ng koponan.

“Despite the absence of Kai, our team is still complete with a formidable line-up of young, athletic, very talented and inspired amateur players,” wika ni Tiu.

Ang koponan ay pangungunahan ni Thirdy Ravena, kasama ang mga batang manlalarong kasama sa Gilas pool na sina Isaac Go, Dave Ildefonso, at magkapatid na Juan at Javi Gomez de Liano.

Nasa lineup din sina naturaliezed Filipino center Andray Blatche, imports Renaldo Balkman, McKenzie Moore at Jelan Kendrick. Gayundin sina Jamie Malonzo, Mikey Williams, veterans Beau Belga, Joseph Yeo, Gab Banal, Jarrell Lim at Joaqui Manuel. (VT ROMANO)