‘Sotto’s biggest adversary is himself’ – Pacquiao
“HIMSELF.” LF ” Th That ti is K Kai iS Sotto’s biggest and only adversary in his quest to play for the National Basketball Association (NBA), according to boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.
Senator Pacquiao, an eight-division world champion and Hall of Famer, has advised the 18-year-old NBA G Leaguebound center to be more productive and hardworking to achieve his long-time dream of becoming the first ever homegrown Filipino player to play in the NBA.
“Sip ag lang at di sip lin as as ari li .( It’ s just all about hard work and discipline),” the 41-year-old reigning World Boxing Association super welterweight champion Pacquiao told TheManilaTimes through a phone interview last Monday.
“Ang kala ban lang ni ya is‘yung sari li ni ya.‘Yunl an gt ala ga;ka laban ni ya lang ‘yung sari li ni ya a thu wag lang ta ta mad-tam ad( His only adversary is really himself, and he should not be lazy),” explained Pacquiao, adding that Sotto’s NBA quest would serve as inspiration to others.
Sotto, the son of former Philippine Basketball Association Ervin Sotto, has committed to play for a Select Team in the NBA G League officially last week, bolstering his bid to play in the world’s oldest and most popular basketball league soon.
“K a rang alanna tin‘ yan‘p ag na ku ha siyasa NBA. Kauna-unahan‘yanat l along makakap ag big ay pa‘ yanng ins pi rasy on (It will be an honor if he makes it to the NBA. It will be the first, and it will inspire the basketball youth),” he added.
“Mara min gs usu nod. Mar a ming mai inspired at mag pup ur sig en a pu wed eng map as ab ak om aka pagl ar os a NBA (More will follow; Many will be inspired and pursue playing in the NBA).”
Pacquiao said he knew Sotto’s journey to the NBA would not be easy, but he said the young athlete should not be discouraged and be frustrated while playing for the NBA G League since all players in every position there were very competitive.
“Oona man, bast at and a an lang ni ya ‘yungw ag mag pad alas a discouragement, and then‘ wag mad is maya‘ pa g may times na down, so ‘wag ma- discourage pero mag pu rsigep arin si ya, focus lang at determination( All he needs to is to remember not to allow himself to be discouraged, especially when times are rough — just focus and be determined),” said Pacquiao.
Aside from being tall at 7’2 and being mobile, Pacquiao said Sotto should also focus on improving his shooting — just like the 6’11 Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks and other successful big men in the NBA.
“Kailangani- develop niya‘yung shooting niy aka si‘yun angus on gay on ‘pagmatangkadka (He needs to develop his shooting skills because that’s what is asked of tall players) — [to] shoot [ from] outside like Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo can shoot from the 3-point line,” he said.
The number of NBA big men who can shoot outside continuously has grown since the late ‘90s. The Dallas Mavericks’ retired 7-footer Dirk Nowitzki and the 6’9 Sacramento Kings’ Peja Stojakovi were the most popular big guys who can shoot beyond the 3-point zone.