Sotto undergoes strength training under noted Filipino fitness coach

By Randy Caluag

WHILE taking what his team claimed as a much-needed rest before joining Gilas Pilipinas in preparation for the World Cup, Kai Sotto is undergoing strength and conditioning training, under a noted Filipino noted fitness coach.

Basketball experts and fans alike have noticed Sotto’s lack of aggressiveness and physicality, which are musthaves for players seeking a place in the National Basketball Association.

In a Facebook post on the Fit Twenty One page, Sotto undergoes training with Mel Lantin, strength and conditioning coach of rising professional boxing star Carl Jammes Martin and the basketball team of the UP Junior Maroons Martin was also the former coach of the Perpetual Help Altas basketball squad and UAAP teams De La Salle University, Far Eastern University and Ateneo de Manila University.

For those familiar with Lantin’s methods, they believe Sotto is in good hands.

“This one is for sure. Excellent choice of S&C coach” said Eduardo Lim in a Facebook comment. Sotto has yet to join the Gilas team in full practice after arriving from and use strategic techniques to neutralize his speed advantage.”

Las Vegas, where he saw action with the Orlando Magic in the NBA Summer League.

While not making any public announcement, reports from Gilas officials said Sotto’s team is asking for more time to rest his back, which sustained a minor injury during his second game with the Magic. Sotto’s absence has caused Gilas coach Chot Reyes to worry. He took a swipe at Sotto, comparing him to NBA Jordan Clarkson and saying that the 7’3” Filipino center is no superstar and needs to practice more with the national team preparing for the World Cup set to start on Aug. 25.

While he sang Sangiao praises, Baatarkhuu believes that he’s still at an advantage against “The Machine,” especially with all the wars that he’s gone through in the past.

“My biggest advantage in this fight will be my well-rounded skill set and the experience gained from previous competitions. I’ll strive to play to my strengths and execute my game plan effectively while remaining unpredictable and adaptable in the ring,” he said.

“This fight is undoubtedly going to be intense, and I anticipate it will be a hard-fought battle. I’m confident in my abilities and determination to prove myself as a formidable opponent.

“While it’s challenging to predict the exact outcome, I’m focused on giving my best performance and aiming for a decisive victory.”

Overall, athletes from the Southern Tagalog Region are ahead with 17 golds, 16 silvers and 11 bronzes, with NCR trailing with its 16-17-13 gold-silver-bronze tally and Western Visayas at third (9-10-9).

In athletics, Teo Papel of Region 10 topped the secondary boys’ 5000-meter run in 16 minutes and 54.53 seconds, with Jholan Arbijas (17:04.84) and Francis Japa of Region V (17:31.07), placing second and third, respectively.

Winnie John Paclibar dominated the elementary boys’ javelin throw, John Dianito topped the secondary boys’ side and Rhain Baladsay (Region 6) claimed the top honors in the elementary boys’ triple jump.

Mark Jay Bacojo and Rigil Pajamtang of Region IV-A ruled the secondary boys’ team blitz competition in chess with 36.50 points, while NCR’s Lloyd Andres and Travis Cu placed second with 32.75 points. Region 10’s Mary Tan and Lila Serina tallied 13 points in the elementary girls’ team blitz event.