MANILA – Kai Sotto is in a race against time to get back in competitive shape for the Gilas Pilipinas in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the Philippines next week.
According to Gilas head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes, the 7-foot-3 center has been training with the team the past few days after being cleared by doctors from his back injury.
“We are finally complete with 16 guys in the practice,” Reyes said. “But I’m pretty sure that he is not yet in 100-percent basketball competitive shape. We have a week to make up for that. I don’t know if that’s enough.”
Sotto did not immediately participate in the national men’s basketball team’s practices upon his return to the country from his NBA Summer League stint with Orlando Magic last month.
While he finally showed up for practice last week, it was not only until last Monday when the former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eaglets center was cleared by doctors.
Aside from Sotto, also returned to Gilas Pilipinas training is Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings guard Earl Scottie Thompson, who suffered a hand injury during their overseas training camp.
“Scottie Thompson reported for full contact practice last Sunday and he’s looking good. Walang limitations. He’s now doing everything that everyone else is doing in practice,” Reyes said.
Reyes is planning to name his 12-man roster to the FIBA World Cup on August 23, two days before their first game against Dominican Republic, as the coaching staff will assess all the 16 players after their scheduled closed-door friendly matches.
“I know a lot of people would have wanted us to have an earlier announcement, but it’s just recently that we were completed,” Reyes said. “It’s a big source of stress for me because we have to make some difficult decisions.”
“Most of the guys have been with us for the last couple of months, always present, and never heard a word of complaint from them. But we have to make very difficult decisions,” added the long-time national team coach./PN
