When Michael Jordan suited up for the Tune Squad in 1996, he cemented his legacy as a pop culture icon and strengthened his case as the GOAT. Decades later, with a handful of records broken, LeBron James filled Jordan’s shoes, attempting to leave a lasting generational mark in the basketball world. With how successful the franchise has been and the popularity of basketball in the Philippines, a spin-off starring the top Pinoy talents and stars is set to debut in late 2024 and will be titled Space Jam: Pambansang Bayani.
Who could be the basketball icon that will shine in the superstar role? Look no further than a monumental and national hero of Philippine Basketball, Kai Sotto. Fan-favorite Sotto shares that he looks forward to being in the same conversation as Jordan and LeBron, who are legends of the sport and create a lasting impression on culture and society. “Sa totoo lang, pangarap ko talaga since bata ako na mag-dunk kasama ang idol kong si Bugs Bunny,” reveals the ecstatic big man.
(To be honest, it has always been a dream of mine since I was a kid to dunk with my idol Bugs Bunny.)
Welcome to the Space Jam
A star-studded cast of Filipino superstar athletes will join him in the film. Fellow Gilas Pilipinas teammates Dwight Ramos and Kevin Quiambao will also share the limelight with Sotto. Fresh off his title run with the Green Archers, Quiambao shared that he intends to build his brand as a basketball player further. Ramos, on the other hand, was also excited to make his silver screen debut.
“I agreed to be part of the project as soon as I got the call. Who would want to miss a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play with Tweety Bird and Porky Pig,” exclaims Ramos. These two and many others will accompany Sotto in his quest to win a basketball game with the characters of Looney Tunes so that they can defeat an AI-assisted bot that mastered the game by extracting data from several highlight reels uploaded online.
Acknowledging that the stacked lineup meant a clash in work schedule, the producers ensured that their individual needs were met behind the scenes. Nike has also agreed to partner with the cast and supply the necessary equipment and clothing. It was revealed that the players and cartoon characters that will feature in the film will use the infamous Nike Panda Dunks to promote the already popular shoe. Additionally, the athleisure company also admitted to customizing an exclusive shoe for Sotto to use during the shooting.
Many say that Sotto has a bright future ahead of him, as many underestimate him, being only 21 years old. After the film, it is hoped that Kaiju’s stardom and fame will erupt and bring him enough exposure to be recognized worldwide. Sotto has the potential to take the world of Filipino basketball to greater heights as he will be the face of such a huge franchise, representing a giant towering over both the basketball and cinematic universe. Fans pronounce that Sotto’s making of a movie that features the biggest stars in sports paves the way for major representation of Filipinos. With a long career ahead of Sotto, the film viewers have so much to look forward to, as this may not be his last movie.
To the world
Along with the numerous endorsement deals and his ongoing B-League stint in Japan, Sotto takes pride in representing the country in every way he can, “I am really thankful and honored for the opportunity. I cannot wait to take the big screen and assist my childhood crush, Lola Bunny,” he shyly confesses.
The film marks a historic collaboration between film studios Star Cinema and Warner Bros. Sotto gets to be on screen with veteran ballers Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck alongside cameos from Quiambao and Ramos. Sotto expresses his excitement for the project that he’s been keeping under wraps for months now. “Excited ako na mapanood nila (fans) ‘to, kasi it’s a long-time dream. Sobrang nag-enjoy din ako habang shooting nung film.”
(I am excited to make them (fans) watch it cause it’s a long-time dream. I also really enjoyed shooting the film.)
Sotto reveals that the film is a love letter to his roots that shaped him to be who he is today, and with the upcoming release of Space Jam: Pambansang Bayani’s trailer on April 1, there is no doubt that he will create buzz, not only in the homeland but around the world as well.
This article was published in The LaSallian‘s Spoof 2024 issue. To read more, visit bit.ly/TLSSpoof2024.