Global sports brand PUMA marks its bold foray into the Philippine basketball market by naming Kai Sotto as its first Filipino baller to serve as the newest global brand ambassador. The German sports brand revealed its partnership with the Filipino hooper import during its recently concluded autumn/winter collection preview party last April 19.
One of the best homegrown players from the Philippines, Kai is considered one of the top basketball prospects in Asia and has a significant following among Filipino basketball fans the world over. His partnership with PUMA is set to strengthen the brand’s presence in the basketball scene and appeal to young consumers who identify with his talent, personality, and style.
“His rising popularity and boundless potential in the local and international basketball scene is a testament to his hard work to make a name for himself and raise the Philippine flag on the world stage. Kai’s basketball career mirrors the PUMA brand values of bravery, confidence, determination and joy, all of which advance our FOREVER FASTER mantra,” said PUMA Philippines Country Manager Paolo Misa.
The former UAAP juniors champion and MVP left the Philippines in 2019 to pursue his NBA dreams and has since made an impressive stint in the international basketball scene as a Filipino import for club teams in Australia and Japan. Kai signed with Adelaide 36ers of Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) from 2021 to 2022. Today, the 7-foot-3 Pinoy import is playing with the Hiroshima Dragonflies of Japan B.League. The Filipino basketball community hopes for his return to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas to help the country’s campaign at the FIBA World Cup this year.
“My style and story as an athlete has always been about getting faster and better in every game. I am proud to be part of a brand that represents both my story and the values that are inherent to Pinoys. I am excited and happy to be the new cat in the PUMA family,” said Kai.
PUMA’s partnership with Kai marks the start of the brand’s expansion plans in the market as a full subsidiary. As the first Filipino hooper to be part of the global PUMA family, Kai shares the excitement of his fans at home and looks forward to engaging with them and achieving even greater things with the fastest sports brand in the world.
In a true FOREVER FASTER fashion, the sports brand welcomed Kai as its newest global ambassador with a dedicated page on PUMA Philippine website. Fans can now visit the page to see Kai’s favorite PUMA collection such as suede classic sneakers, basketball shoes, hoodies, and sweatpants. Follow Kai Sotto and PUMA’s social media pages for thrilling news and updates about the collaboration.