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Kai Sotto is expected to play a key role for Gilas Pilipinas in its two-game homestand in the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, especially with AJ Edu in danger of being sidelined after suffering another knee injury
MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas is taking all the necessary steps to ensure that Kai Sotto is healthy before he suits up for the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
Sotto has been put under concussion protocols in the Japan B. League after a blow to the head in the third quarter of the Koshigaya Alphas’ 80-72 win over the Yokohama B-Corsairs on November 9.
In visible pain following an inadvertent hit by Yokohama import Damien Inglis, the 7-foot-3 big man got subbed out and never returned.
“He’s here in the country right now. He’s already here. So he traveled from Japan. He’s in the middle of the protocols,” said team manager Richard del Rosario of Sotto in a press conference on Wednesday, November 13.
“Right now, there are six steps to be taken, he’s on his third step. But it’s not as easy as going to the next step right away.”
“After one step, there’s an observation period before you go to the next step and the doctor has to see him and the doctor needs to clear him to play before he can get to the court.”
Sotto is expected to play a key role for the Philippines in its two-game homestand against New Zealand and Hong Kong, especially with frontcourt partner AJ Edu in danger of being sidelined after suffering another knee injury.
Blossoming under head coach Tim Cone, Sotto averaged 15.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in the first window, where the Nationals demolished Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei last February.
His steady play continued in the B. League, with Sotto putting up 12.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks this season.
Sotto has a week to recover before the Philippines hosts New Zealand on November 21 and Hong Kong on November 24, both at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“[The] primary consideration is health. So we want to make sure that he’s healthy enough to step back on the court,” said Del Rosario.
Sotto will join the national team in its training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna that begins on Friday, November 15. – Rappler.com
