LOS ANGELES – Finally, some good news on the stalemate between the Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas (SBP) and Kai Sotto.
The wedge that had divided the 7-foot-3 center and the national basketball federation for several agonizing weeks is now in the process of being removed.
"The doors are opening. Kai's doctors will speak to our doctors either tonight or tomorrow morning," an SBP source with intimate knowledge of the long-running medical saga told me in a telephone interview.
Assuming Kai checks all the boxes medically, including the issue on his back spasms, a nod from SBP's physicians would clear him to join Gilas Pilipinas scrimmages without any restrictions.
At long last.
And it couldn't have come at a better time as the clock winds down to 11 days before the 2023 FIBA World Cup kicks off.
Since he hadn't played since July 15 in the NBA Summer League, Kai will have to dust off some of the game rust and put his strength and conditioning back to top form.
But he's a pro and the expectations are that he will pick up quickly and should be ready to do his thing when the competition begins.
ISKATI IS CLEARED FOR TAKE-OFF
Believe it or not (how did we get so lucky?!), Kai isn't just the good news Gilas fans are now finding out.
Scottie Thompson, the Ginebra star who sustained a metacarpal fracture on his right hand while training in Lithuania last month, has been cleared for full practice last night.
"He is here now," said SBP director of operations and team manager Butch Antonio while referring to Gilas' closed-door practice on Monday night.
Iskati, a pass-friendly combo guard who also has the facility to score when needed, is a big boost to a backcourt that already has NBA star Jordan Clarkson and Japan B League veteran Dwight Ramos on it.
Thompson's decision-making and big-game experience will come in handy, pun intended, when Gilas wrestles against stiff bracket competition.
SBP'S CHOSEN GILAS DOZEN
With breathless anticipation, fans and the media are waiting for Gilas' Final 12 roster for the upcoming World Cup.
It's almost like waiting for the next American Idol winner to be announced. But this one is times 12.
Everyone has a list. But the only one that matters is SBP's.
Don't hold your breath waiting.
The FIBA deadline for participating teams to submit their final rosters is August 24 and the SBP is inclined to wait until the ultimate hour, I am told.
But if you want to have a clue, a very well-informed prediction on who is likely to be in the Top 12, listen to tomorrow afternoon's episode of SPIN POV to be hosted by the inimitable Snow Badua.
No promises but I may just pop up in there.
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