KAI Sotto is certain to play for Gilas Pilipinas, but fellow young big man AJ Edu remains doubtful for the coming window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
Gilas team manager Richard del Rosario said the 7-foot-3 Sotto has finally been cleared to play after going through concussion protocols, while the 6-foot-10 Edu continues to undergo treatment for his hurting knee.
“Kai is good to go, but AJ is still undergoing strength training and treatment,” said Del Rosario on Sunday as the national team conducts its final training in its closed-door camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna.
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Both Sotto and Edu went down with their injuries last week while playing for their respective teams in the Japan B.League.
Sotto just completed the concussion protocols that are mandatory in the B. League after being hit in the head during the Koshigaya Alphas’ 80-72 win over Yokohama.
Edu meanwhile, hurt his right knee in a rebound sequence in Nagasaki Velca’s 71-68 loss to the Akita Northern Happinets.
The clearance given on Sotto meant additional ceiling for Gilas in the frontcourt in the Filipinos’ games against New Zealand and Hong Kong.
Sotto is expected to form another formidable Gilas roster in the middle with Japeth Aguilar, Carl Tamayo, and June Mar Fajardo, who celebrated his birthday at Inspire.
Tamayo checked in at the Laguna training camp on Saturday from Korea together with naturalized player Justine Brownlee.
Del Rosario said the team breaks camp on Monday afternoon, and then will have two more days of practice in Manila before its Thursday game against the Tall Blacks at the Mall of Asia Arena.
On Sunday, Gilas faces Hong Kong also at the MoA.
The Philippines and New Zealand share the top spot in Group B, both with identical 2-0 records.
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