The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) said Wednesday the federation will continue to support Kai Sotto.
The NBA G League announced on Tuesday Sotto will no longer join Ignite after leaving the team in January to join Gilas Pilipinas.
The 18-year-old left for the Philippines in order to participate in the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, with the intention to join his teammates inside the bubble at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida afterwards.
However, the third window set for Feb. 18 to 22 in Doha, Qatar, was postponed indefinitely. Sotto returned to the United States on Feb. 14.
"When Kai announced via social media that he wanted to come home to play for Gilas Pilipinas Men, we welcomed him with open arms because he'll always have a home with us at the SBP," said SBP President Al Panlilio. "The same is true for any Filipino basketball player chasing their dreams on the international stage. Whatever may happen to their respective paths, they can always be sure that the SBP will be there to provide them a stage where they could perform for their Filipino fans."
Panlilio said that the SBP will do whatever it can to support Sotto.
Sotto's camp said the teenager is still determined to become the first full-blooded Filipino to make it to the NBA.
"Please know that Kai is very much on track in his development and towards achieving his NBA dream - despite what all the naysayers are posting," a source told ESPN5.