ORLANDO - It looks like the standstill between the Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas (SBP) and Kai Sotto is over.
And it' a win-win for both sides. And most importantly, a huge triumph for Gilas Pilipinas.
As you read this piece, the 7-foot-3 center is at the PhilSports Arena with the national team as it resumed practice a day after arriving from China where it took part in a pocket tournament against Iran and Senegal.
READ: Chot says integrating Clarkson to Gilas 'both easy and hard'
Although he has never missed practice since arriving from the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Sotto had never actually joined practice and had instead been just doing some shooting drills.
Tonight will be different.
"Once they do (start scrimmaging), he will (join)," a senior member of Sotto's camp told SPIN.ph via text message while sending a video of Sotto, who arrived an hour early for practice.
WATCH:
But just to be clear, Kai's camp also emphasized that "doctors don't clear him 'till tomorrow."
Still, having Kai out there is a great sign.
His participation coincides with the arrival of Jordan Clarkson, the eight-year NBA veteran of the Utah Jazz who will be the Philippines' naturalized player in the World Cup unfolding on August 25.
Scottie Thompson, another key player who has been missing practice because of a fractured hand, is also expected to report for practice with 16 days to go before the team's World Cup debut against Dominican Republic.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
