KAI Sotto is a game-time decision for Gilas Pilipinas’ semifinal match against Brazil even after he escaped a serious injury in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Gilas Pilipinas team manager Richard Del Rosario confirmed Sotto’s X-rays came up negative after crumpling to the floor in pain in the second quarter of the game against Georgia after he was undercut by Joe Thomasson on Thursday.
Sotto never return to the game which Gilas lost, 84-86, and was later taken to the hospital to determine its extent.
READ: A big Kai of relief for Gilas Pilipinas
“Game-time decision,” said Del Rosario in an online message. “Good news is there is no fracture as per X-ray result. Pero there is still soreness.”
Sotto’s presence would be needed for Gilas in their clash against Brazil, the top seed in Group B and ranked No. 12 in the world. The match will on Saturday 3:30 p.m. local time (Saturday, 8:30 p.m. Philippine time)
No one from the Brazil side stands taller than its three players who stand at 6-foot-9 in former NBA players Cristiano Felicio and Bruno Caboclo, and Lucas Dias.
The 7-foot-2 Sotto was impressive in the Philippines’ first game against Latvia where he had 18 points on an efficient 7-of-10 from the field. He also grabbed eight rebounds in Gilas’ historic 89-80 victory the world No. 6.
Sotto had four points and two blocks before going down with the injury in the game against Georgia.
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