The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) said Kai Sotto is welcome to join Gilas Pilipinas practice upon the national team's return from China where it is participating in a pocket tournament.
“He’s welcome to join the team’s practice upon their return from China," said SBP president Al Panlilio.
READ: Sotto reaffirms commitment to Gilas
Panlilio's statement came two days after Sotto reaffirmed his commitment to Gilas, reminding fans in an interview with PlayitRight TV that he never once turned his back on the national team in his young career.
The 21-year old center also said his recovery from back spasms that slowed him down in his final NBA Summer League game with the Orlando Magic is progressing well and he expects to be fit enough to practice by next week.
"I'm supposed to do 12 [therapy] sessions, I've done six. so slowly but surely. Hopefully by next week pwede na ko mag-step on court and do some drills," Sotto said. "Mas umokey na likod ko compared to noong nasa US pa ako."
"I think i'll be good, I'll be okay," he said.
Panlilio said the SBP is only waiting for Sotto to submit MRI results attesting that he's '100-percent fit to play' before signing him to a contract.
“After being informed of Kai Sotto’s injury, the SBP is just waiting for him to submit his MRI results attesting that he’s 100 perfect fit to play before signing his contract," said the SBP head.
Gilas, without Kai Sotto and a naturalized player in the lineup, is currently 1-1 (win-loss) in the Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament in Guandong, China after a split in games against Senegal and a team from Iran.
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