GILAS Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes bared the back injury Kai Sotto suffered in the NBA Summer League isn’t as bad as earlier expected.
But whether he’ll be able to join the national men’s team in practice is something he has no idea at the moment.
See Kai Sotto coming home to rest, plot next move, says Ronzone
Reyes said he was able to talk to Sotto’s representative Tony Ronzone of Wasserman by the end of the Filipino’s stint with the Orlando Magic, but wasn’t in contact with the 7-foot-3 center.
“I had the chance to talk to Tony Ronzone and he said that all the X-rays came back negative. So that’s good news,” the Gilas mentor said after the national team’s Monday night practice at the Meralco gym.
“But I haven’t had the chance to talk to Kai himself.”
The 21-year-old Sotto failed to finish the Magic’s final game in the Summer League against the Boston Celtics after hurting his back.
He later admitted needing rest after a year-round of playing basketball in a decision that left his possible stint with Gilas in the Fiba World Cup hanging.
But as far as Reyes’ knowledge is concerned, Sotto is set to arrive in the country on Tuesday.
“I think he’s arriving tomorrow. Pagka-alam ko darating siya,” said the Gilas coach. “Whether he comes to practice or not, di ko alam.”
Reyes said negotiations and talks with Sotto’s camp is being handled by team manager Butch Antonio.
When asked about Sotto’s situation, Antonio said the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) will make an announcement about it.
“Unless he’s here, the only time we can be so sure is if he shows up,” added Reyes.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
