SOME good news for the Gilas Pilipinas team and its huge basketball fans.
Philippine men’s basketball team manager Richard del Rosario said there’s a “chance” for young slot man Kai Sotto to play when Gilas faces New Zealand on Nov. 21 in the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Just a week ago, the 7-foot-3 Filipino big man was accidentally hit in the face by Yokohama B-Corsairs reinforcement Damien Inglis in the Koshigaya Alphas’ 80-72 triumph.
Sotto was placed under the concussion protocol by Japan B.League.
As per del Rosario, the concussion protocol involves a six-step process, though Sotto appears to be progressing well since that accidental hit.
“Yes, there is a chance that he will play vs NZ,” was del Rosario’s short message to The Manila Times on Saturday.
Gilas is currently in Day 2 of its training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
Sotto flew from Japan to Manila early this week and is also in Calamba though he’s still undergoing the concussion protocol for the time being.
After New Zealand, Gilas takes on Hong Kong on Nov. 24.
Sotto averaged 15.5 and 14 rebounds in the Philippines’ two-game sweep of the opening round of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers after Gilas drubbed Hong Kong, 94-64, before tearing apart the visiting Taiwan side, 106-53, last February.
