GILAS Pilipinas has ruled out Kai Sotto from consideration in its roster for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 in August, expecting the big man to be out for up to a year after undergoing surgery for a torn ACL on his knee.
Gilas coach Tim Cone said Sotto’s recovery will from take nine to 12 months, making it impossible for the Gilas big man to play in the continental tournament to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
COLUMN: Kai Sotto set for surgery in Japan as swelling goes down
Cone said they are targeting the World Cup qualifiers next year for the return of the Japan B.League Asian import.
“For sure, he won’t be playing [in the Asia Cup]. Hopefully, he would start to play sometime in the World Cup qualifiers,” said Cone after Barangay Ginebra’s win over Meralco in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Cone said Sotto will undergo surgery in early February.
“What I heard last is that the surgery is going to be sometime this week. From there, we count the months. Minimum nine, probably 12," said Cone.
"Guy that is 7-foot-2 usually takes longer. We are thinking maybe a year. He will be out for maybe a year," he added.
In the wake of Sotto's injury, Gilas has already called up Ginebra's newly recruited forward, Troy Rosario, ahead of the Asia Cup's final qualifiers next month.
Sotto sustained an ACL injury during his Japan B.League game with his ballclub Koshigaya Alphas.
“Big blow. But we’ll see what we can do about it,” said Cone.
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