Batang Gilas discovers 6’9 Fil-Aussie teener Kirkness in Facebook

HOW powerful Facebook is when it comes to discovering interesting people?

The world- renowned social networking site has become a great source when it comes to the recruitment program of Batang Gilas, which was able to stumble 6- foot- 9, 14- year- old promising player Ethan Kirkness.

Mr. Kirkness is one among the potential big men being eyed by Batang Gilas to join the national youth team program starting next year alongside AJ Edu and Kai Sotto.

“Just Facebook. I don’t know. They just kinda met I guess. Just online. That’s it. I think. They saw a picture of me and then they found out that I was Filipino. That’s how it started really, just online,” Mr. Kirkness said in an interview with Fraulein Olavario of News 5.

The Fil- Aussie has been working with Greg Fox, a former National Basketball League standout who’s been supervising the progress of Mr. Kirkness over the past two years.

“He’s been good definitely when no one else was there, he was there to help out. I’ve learned a lot from him. He’s done a lot for me. We usually have afternoon trainings and developing and everything. Greg Fox, he’s definitely been a help. We don’t have over there as much resources as they do here. So having a personal trainer was definitely a big help,” said Mr. Kirkness.

According to Batang Gilas team manager Andrew Teh, Kirkness, Sotto, son of former PBA player Ervin Sotto and Edu, are likely to join the national youth team program next year and prepare them for the 2018 major age group tournaments.

“He already has a passport and approved to play for the Philippines (in future international tournaments),” Mr. Teh said.

For Mr. Kirkness, representing the national team would be a big deal for him.

“Yeah, I’m happy to do any of that, really. If I get offered, I’ll see if I can take it. I definitely believe that it’s here and I’m here. I’ve got to build up for that first before I even consider it a possibility because I know that there’s a lot of people here who are doing that certain stuff,” added Mr. Kirkness.