NOW that the Gilas Pilipinas squad is two days away from another window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, Kai Sotto has finally been given a green light to play for the team, while AJ Edu is still undergoing treatments.
Gilas fans may need to exercise a bit more patience and trust to witness the full potential of this window’s lineup, particularly when their twin tower will be back in action, since Sotto was the only one cleared as of today.
According to the Philippine men’s basketball team manager Richard del Rosario, the 6-foot-10 Edu is still receiving treatment for his ailing knee.
“Kai is good to go, but AJ is still undergoing strength training and treatment,” said Del Rosario, as reported by Spin.ph when Gilas held their training at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna on Sunday.
Untimely injuries
An unfortunate situation for the national team, which is in desperate need of height versus the Tall Blacks, as both Sotto and Edu sustained injuries last week while playing for their respective teams in the Japan B.League.
However, Sotto was able to complete the concussion protocols required in the B. League after getting hit in the head during the Koshigaya Alphas’ 80-72 victory over Yokohama.
Photo Courtesy: Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas | Facebook
However, Edu was also injured around his right knee during a rebound sequence in Nagasaki Velca’s 71-68 loss against the Akita Northern Happinets.
Nonetheless, having Sotto back as early as their first game against New Zealand would provide further ceiling for the Gilas frontcourt. He will be joining Japeth Aguilar, Carl Tamayo, and June Mar Fajardo.
Sotto’s the way
Sotto averaged 15.5 points and 14 rebounds in Gilas’ two-game sweep of the opening round of the Asia Cup Qualifiers, which saw them defeat Hong Kong 94-64 and Taiwan 106-53 last February.
This simply goes to show how stable the 7-foot-3 big man has been in the ever-changing landscape of the Philippine national basketball program, where rosters change like the tides and cohesion is frequently an ephemeral concept.
Photo Courtesy: Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas | Facebook
For years, Gilas Pilipinas has had to balance expectations with the harsh realities of little preparation and the battle to establish a cohesive unit. This time, they’ve been more consistent under head coach Tim Cone.
Kai Sotto has been a consistent member of Gilas since 2021, even in the midst of instability. From his debut as a teenager in the FIBA Under 16 Asian Championships to becoming an important part of the senior team’s system.
Sotto and the rest of the Gilas Pilipinas team will face New Zealand, who holds an identical record of 2-0, on Thursday, November 21, followed by a home game against Hong Kong on November 25.
