MONTALBAN, Rizal – Kai Sotto is saddened that he will not be able to play for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 as he recovers from an ACL injury in his left knee.
Sotto said the timetable of his return is still undetermined after suffering the injury during a Japan B.League team with the the Koshigaya Alphas last January.
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“Siyempre, malungkot lagi kapag hindi ka makakapaglaro,” said Sotto in a brief interview with SPIN.ph while watching Sunday’s PBA game at the Ynares Center II.
The 7-foot-3 Sotto said his focus right now is with his rehab to get himself fit and back to playing as soon as possible.
“Three months, magfo-four months pa lang ako since surgery. Nagre-rehab lang ako,” said Sotto.
In most cases, an ACL now requires a full year of recovery which will keep him out not just in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025, but possibly the first window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian qualifiers in November 2025.
Sotto is in town at the end of his campaign in the Japan B.League. He accompanied his Koshigaya Alphas coach Ryuzo Anzai to witness the doubleheader pitting San Miguel against Terrafirma and Magnolia against Rain or Shine.
He also watched the game with his girlfriend Rere Madrid.
Sotto and the Alphas delegation also visited the practice of Rain or Shine to observe.
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