A FORMER Davao Jones Academy (DJA) player suited up for the Batang Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba U17 Basketball World Cup slated June 30 to July 8 in Argentina.

Jorick Kyle Bautista, 16, who currently plays with Far Eastern (FEU) Jr., is the only proud Dabawenyo in the team.

Bautista, who hails from Crossing Bayabas Toril, played for DJA in 2015 before he was recruited by FEU the following year.

“Jorick was scouted while playing in the Jr. NBA and the Davao Youth Basketball League (DYBL) where he was named as the most valuable player (MVP),” Bautista's father Rick, said.

DJA head coach Rael Diaz, Bautista's former coach, lauded his former player for reaching another milestone in his basketball career.

“Kyle is a tough, fast and an exceptional shooter,” he said.

He said it was not a surprise that Bautista was scouted by FEU Baby Tamaraws coach Alan Albano,” Diaz said.

Bautista joined the Batang Gilas try-outs and made it as one of the top 24 players in the Batang Gilas roster.

He added: “Kyle is a humble and down to earth athlete. He is very deserving to be part of Gilas. I'm sure hindi yan pipiliin ng Gilas coaches kung hindi yan magaling.”

Bautista will be joining 7-foot-1 center Kai Sotto, Yukien Andrada, King Balaga, Recaredo Christian Calimag, Shaun Geoffrey Chiu, Raven Angelo Cortez, Terrence John Fortea, Rafael Go, Mclaude Go, Joshua Rafael Lazaro and Rence Keith Sean Padrigao.

They will be coached by Michael Oliver and Wilber Loa.