YOUNG big man Kai Sotto will certainly play for Gilas Pilipinas in the coming window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
Team manager Richard Del Rosario made the assurance despite the 7-foot-3 going down with a sprained ankle in the B. League last week.
He added Sotto will be joining the Gilas training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna.
“Yes, he will be joining Gilas,” said Del Rosario, also deputy coach with Barangay Ginebra and University of Perpetual Help, during the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball game over the weekend.
“Minor sprain lang yung injury niya a couple of days ago.”
READ: Kai Sotto's big game in Koshigaya win dampened by ankle injury
Sotto suffered an ankle sprain in Koshigaya Alphas’ 80-67 victory over Aj Edu and the Nagasaki Velca.
The former UAAP juniors MVP from Ateneo already had 13 points, eight rebounds, four blocks, and three assists when he suffered the sprain late in the third period.
Sotto was up and about the next game however, as he suited up against the Yokohama B-Corsairs featuring fellow Filipino Kiefer Ravena which the Alphas won, 80-72.
But he was put under the concussion protocol of the league following a collision during the game, making him miss their rematch with the Corsairs the following day, 87-63.
Still, that wouldn’t stop Sotto from coming over and play in the Asia Cupa qualifiers second window set Nov. 21-24 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“He is scheduled to arrive before the 15th to join training camp,” added Del Rosario.
Sotto’s expected arrival gives the national team the needed size frontcourt where he will be reunited with fellow FIBA World Cup bigs June Mar Fajardo and AJ Edu.
The Philippines will host New Zealand and Hong Kong during the four-day meet. It plays the Tall Blacks first on the 21st followed by Hong Kong on the 24th.
The trio completes the Gilas roster for the second window that also include Carl Tamayo, Scottie Thompson, Chris Newsome, CJ Perez, Dwight Ramos, Calvin Oftana, Kevin Quiambao, and naturalized player Justine Brownlee.
Jamie Malonzo is still out with a calf injury and will be either replaced by reserves Japeth Aguilar or Mason Amos.
Gilas is currently tied on top of Group B together with New Zealand.
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