Kai’s back
KAI Sotto now battles for a spot in the final lineup of the Philippine men’s basketball team for the Fiba Basketball World Cup.
The 7-foot-3 Sotto has been cleared for full-contact basketball. He took a break after aggravating a back issue while playing for the Orlando Magic Summer League team and started attending Gilas practice days before getting medical clearance for full training.
"Kai and our doctors led by Doctor Randy Moli met. And they cleared him to play," Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio said on Tuesday.
Sotto has signed the contract given by Gilas team manager Butch Antonio, with Panlilio expected to sign the deal later Tuesday.
Final 12
GILAS Pilipinas officials will meet on Aug. 23 to identify the Philippines’ final 12 players for the Fiba Basketball World Cup.
Four players will be cut from the current training pool.
The deadline for submission of final rosters is Aug. 24, a day before the opener, when the Philippines takes on the Dominican Republic at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
Gilas Pilipinas returned to the Philippines last week after playing tune-up games in China.
The return of Scottie Thompson from hand injury, and Kai Sotto from back issues brought the pool to 16 players.
Tune-up games before final cut
THE 16-man Philippine basketball squad will be tested anew before getting trimmed down to the final 12.
Gilas faces the Ivory Coast on Friday, Montenegro on Sunday, before the final training match against Mexico on Monday.
“Based on those games, I think it will really solidify in the coaches’ minds who the Final 12 [would be],” said SBP chief Al Panlilio.
Fil-Am Jordan Clarkson holds the spot for a naturalized citizen on the Philippine team, while battling for the 11 spots are Scottie Thompson, June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, CJ Perez, RR Pogoy, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, Jamie Malonzo, AJ Edu, Dwight Ramos, Ray Parks, Kiefer Ravena, Thirdy Ravena, Rhenz Abando and Kai Sotto.
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