CHICAGO - The mood heading into the fifth qualifying window for the 2027 FIBA World Cup just turned gloomy.
In the wake of Kai Sotto's ongoing knee issue, Altiri Chiba has informed the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) about the prized asset's unavailability.
Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone told me in an exclusive interview on Monday.
"Yes, his team in Japan has told us he's unavailable, but Kai's handlers have not confirmed that as yet," Cone said.
"Not sure what that means, if anything, but obviously we will always keep the door open for Kai. He's the key to our success, but if we have to go without him, then we have to go without him," Cone added.
BUMMER
Although Kai's reps would love to see their player-client rep the Philippine flag against Syria (Nov.27) and Iran (Nov. 29), it stands to logic that they'll follow Chiba's lead.
Altiri, after all, is Kai's employer and they're paying a nice chunk of money for a one-year deal.
Per my sources, Sotto has been sidelined for seven straight games with a "swollen knee."
And while the setback is not serious, the 7-foot-3 center's history of an ACL tear demands an abundance of caution while addressing the bloated knee.
Now that Kai is unlikely to suit up, other guys need to step up.
"Needless to say, this window is still do or die for us, so again, all hands on deck," Cone explained.
Sadly, without the man in the middle, it's more die than do.
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