CHICAGO - Kai Sotto will play for Gilas Pilipinas in this month's FIBA window, after all.
After I broke the news on SPIN.ph that the 7-foot-3 center is "unavailable" for the crucial matches versus Syria and Iran lin the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers ater this month, Gilas coach Tim Cone gave an update.
"Just wanted to let you know that right after we spoke, Kai texted me and said that he had spoken to his coach and if everything goes right with his knee, he expects to join us in Kuala Lumpur," said the Gilas coach.
COLUMN: Kai Sotto health a concern for Gilas as FIBA window nears
Per sources, the Altiri Chiba previously sent a letter informing our basketball federation that Sotto will not be able to join Gilas due to a swollen knee that has sidelined him for seven straight games in the ongoing Japan B.League season.
But Kai pleaded with Altiri coach Andrej Lemanis to get the go signal and play.
The former head coach of the Australian national team, Lemanis appreciated both Kai's desire to honor his country and his value to Gilas.
Before his knee acted up, Sotto was a force for Chiba where he averaged 12 points, 11.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists in four games.
Trying to withhold Kai from FIBA duty doesn't make Altiri Chiba a villian or party pooper. The team is merely protecting its prized asset who has an ACL tear history and is playing for them on borrowed time via a lucrative one-year deal.
Coach Cone also told me that he expects the rest of the Gilas team to assemble in Manila by November 20 before leaving for Kuala Lumpur the next day.
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