PBA Fans Want Kai Sotto in a Real Team—Not a Farm Team Gimmick
Coach Yeng Guiao recently sparked a brief frenzy among PBA fans when he jokingly claimed that Filipino basketball prodigy Kai Sotto had committed to play for Rain or Shine in the PBA.
"Ida-draft na namin siya. Wala nang chance yung ibang teams," Guiao quipped, as photos of the 7-foot-3 big man surfaced online showing him at a Rain or Shine practice session. The images quickly made waves on social media, giving fans hope that Sotto might finally be headed to the local pro league.
Of course, it turned out to be a light-hearted joke. The real reason for Sotto’s appearance was more casual—he was simply accompanying his Koshigaya Alphas head coach Ryozu Anzai, who wanted to observe a PBA team’s training, along with Kai’s father Ervin Sotto, who happened to be Guiao’s former assistant coach back in NLEX.
"Nandito kasi yung coach niya sa Pilipinas and gustong manood ng practice. Kaya pumunta sila sa practice namin sa Rain or Shine," Guiao explained.
Still, the brief moment offered a glimpse of what many PBA fans have long been dreaming about: seeing Kai Sotto in the PBA, not just as a promotional tool or media spectacle, but as a legitimate franchise cornerstone.
A Bigger Question: Where Will Kai Sotto Land?
If Kai Sotto ever enters the PBA Draft, speculation will immediately swirl about which team will secure his rights. Given the current system—and the notorious “farm team” reputation attached to some franchises like Terrafirma or Blackwater—fans are already concerned that Sotto could end up being used as a trade chip to reinforce an already stacked team like San Miguel, Ginebra, or Magnolia.
And while those teams undoubtedly have elite infrastructures, championships, and fan bases, there’s something disheartening about imagining the country’s most promising big man acquired via backdoor deals and pre-arranged trades.
The Ideal: Kai on a Team Like Rain or Shine
There’s a reason why Coach Yeng’s joke hit such a nerve. Rain or Shine, known for building organically, fighting with grit, and giving real playing time to young talents, is the kind of team where Sotto would be allowed to grow, lead, and become the centerpiece of something meaningful.
More importantly, the public perception of Rain or Shine is clear: they are not a farm team.
Given the history of "lopsided trades" and the growing frustration of PBA fans who feel the integrity of the league is often sacrificed for certain teams' dynasties, having someone like Kai Sotto end up on a genuine, independent team would be a refreshing turn—and possibly, a unifying moment for a league craving balance.
Final Take
Let’s be honest—if PBA fans had a say, the overwhelming majority would rather see Kai Sotto suit up for a team like Rain or Shine than be handed over to a powerhouse via a suspicious farm-team deal. It’s not just about basketball. It’s about fairness, competition, and the hope that the PBA can still offer a league where talent is earned, not manipulated.
And maybe, just maybe, that one practice visit is a sign of better things to come.
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