GILAS Pilipinas Tim Cone has ruled out Kai Sotto coming in as a last-minute reinforcement for the Asian Games-bound team after his bid to play in the US NCAA encountered eligibility roadblocks.
The 7-foot-3 Sotto, who stood out in Gilas' wins over Jordan and Iran in the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, suffered a setback when his bid to play for Texas A&M was sidetracked by new rules on players who have played professionally before seeking exemptions to play in the NCAA.
READ Gilas falls to hot-shooting South Korea in Hana Bank Invitational
However, Cone said there is no chance of the former Japan B.League Asian Quota import rejoining the team in Nagoya for the defense of the Asiad gold medal.
"A definite no," Cone said.
Cone and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) brought 11 players in the hope that the 12th roster spot would be filled by Justin Brownlee, but that chance too is fading.
"Probable no," said Cone, who saw his team suffer an 81-55 defeat at the hands of the South Korean national team in the first game of the Hana Bank Invitatonal in Suwon on Friday.
Sotto's presence could have been huge for the all-PBA team considering Gilas is set to face a China team that is expected to be led by Yang Hansen of the Portland Trail Blazers, as well as Bahrain and Kazakhstan in the group stage.
The 7-1 Hansen played for China in the last window of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers and hit the game-winner in an 89-87 win over Lebanon.
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