THE Kai Sotto waiting game is over.
After clouds of uncertainties, the 7-foot-3 center has been medically cleared to beef up Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup.
Speaking during the special edition of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum yesterday, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Al Panlilio said Sotto is good to go and prove his worth in practice to gain a slot in national coach Chot Reyes’ final 12-man line-up.
“I was there the other night. Everybody was present. Kai (Sotto), Scottie (Thompson), JC (Jordan Clarkson), all 16 players were there. Scottie is in good shape. It’s just a matter of getting back into the basketball groove, but I believe he did play that night,” Panlilio said. “Kai also played and to share an update, our doctors spoke with Kai’s doctors yesterday (Monday). The SBP doctors have cleared him to play. That’s fantastic news.
“He’s now cleared to play, and we’re looking forward to seeing him participate in the warm-up matches to prepare. I mean, for everyone’s preparation when the games commence Aug. 25,” he added.
The country’s cage body chief said Sotto has his work cut out for him before the Philippine five opens its bid against the Dominican Republic on Aug. 25 at the cavernous Philippine Arena before clashing with Angola two days later at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Gilas winds up its Group A campaign against Italy on Aug. 29 also at the Big Dome.
“Obviously, what Kai needs to do in the coming days is to really improve his fitness because he’s also not been playing,” Panlilio said in the in the public sports program backed by San Miguel Corp., Philippine Sports Commission, POC, Milo, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
“So, I think that’s one aspect of the game that he really needs to work on. We didn’t see any MRI results. What we wanted to do was to really put closure and also move forward and really just focus on the games, that’s why our doctors met.”
