KAI Sotto is cleared to see action for Gilas Pilipinas in a pair of big games for the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers this week.
AJ Edu’s status, however, still hangs in the air.
Gilas Pilipinas team manager Richard del Rosario said the 7-foot-3 Sotto is “good to go” after clearing the concussion protocol of the Japan B.League where he is currently playing.
The presence of Sotto is a big boost for Gilas Pilipinas as he pairs once again with eight-time PBA Most Valuable Player and many-time national player June Mar Fajardo in the front court.
Sotto averaged 15.5 points and 12.5 rebounds during the opening window of the Qualifiers last February where the Philippines ran roughshod over Hong Kong and Taiwan, respectively.
However, the big question is whether the 6-foot-10 Edu can suit up for the second window as the Philippines takes on regional powerhouse New Zealand on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“AJ’s status is still day-to-day,” said del Rosario to The Manila Times when asked to give an update on the former University of Toledo stalwart.
Edu is continually undergoing treatment although he is present at the Gilas Pilipinas training camp that started last Friday at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
A known defensive player, Edu hurt his right knee during his Japanese squad Nagasaki Velca’s 71-68 defeat to the Akita Northern Happinets early last week.
Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone, though, has enough big players in the 15-man pool. Aside from Fajardo and Sotto, the team can also lean on 6-foot-10 Japeth Aguilar and 6-foot-8 Carl Tamayo, who arrived and joined the training camp last Saturday.
Tamayo, the former University of the Philippines standout, had to fulfill his Korean Basketball League duties with his LG Sakers side, which dropped a narrow 76-78 decision against the Suwon KLT Sonicboom on Thursday.
After the game against world No. 22 New Zealand, the 34th ranked Philippines will have two days to prepare before going up against Hong Kong on Sunday, also at the Mall of Asia Arena.
