IT’S like double jeopardy.
Already dealing with the perennial problem of cramming, Gilas Pilipinas is also facing uncertainties on the availability of some of its players like big men Kai Sotto and AJ Edu when the Nationals resume their bid in the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
Sotto suffered a concussion while playing for the Koshigaya Alphas in the Japan B.League match. The 7-foot-3 center is already in Manila, undergoing concussion protocol as mandated by the Japanese league.
“We have been in touch with the medical team of Kai’s team in Japan and he has been put under the concussion protocol of the B-league and we are following that,” Gilas team manager Richard Del Rosario said yesterday in the team’s press conference at the TV5 Media Center in Mandaluyong.
“He’s in the process of completing the concussion protocol but from all indications, he will be available come game time upon completion of those protocols,” he added.
The 6-foot-10 Edu, who sees action for Nagasaki Velca, is doubtful due to a knee injury he sustained also in the B.League.
“So right now we are in communication also with the medical team of AJ in the B-league. He needs to undergo strengthening with his knee. As you all know, AJ has a long history of injuries and once he arrives then we will do our assessment with our own trainers and medical staff and see from there,” Del Rosario said.
“It depends on his recovery if he will be available for the window, and it’s unfortunate because the injury happened just days before coming into this window, but we are still hopeful that he can recover in time. We can only see that once he arrives in the country.”
Edu, who has yet to suit up for the team under coach Tim Cone, was set to arrive in the country last night.
Gilas buckles down to work with an injury-hit national team training pool on Friday, Nov 15, at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
The Philippines face New Zealand on Nov. 21 and Hong Kong three days later at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Cone has ruled out Jamie Malonzo for the November window due to his recovery from a calf injury.
“Jamie is not available. Jamie needs to get back in the Ginebra line-up and get comfortable there before he goes back to the Gilas line-up,” he said. “Hopefully, that will happen within the next month or two.”
Despite the injury bug, Cone is not one to cry over spilled milk.
“I was so excited I’d get AJ this time and then just yesterday (Monday), or a day before, we heard about his knee. The Japanese team he plays for didn’t want him to come,” he said.
“It was so depressing. I was upset. That’s part of the game. Injuries are part of the game. You feel bad about it for five minutes and then you’ve got to move on.”gila
