The seven-foot-three Kai Sotto has been cleared to play for Gilas Pilipinas, raising the prospect of a twin-junior combination with Juni Mar Fajardo that made coach Tim Cone happy.
Mr. Sotto, according to team manager Richard del Rosario, is “good to go” in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers matches against New Zealand on Thursday and Hong Kong on Sunday after clearing the concussion protocol.
The player is being monitored by the Japan B.League after he was hit in the head during Koshigaya Alphas’ 80-72 win over Yokohama last week.
However, 6-foot-10 AJ Edu remains a doubt as he continues treatment on his right knee, which he injured recently in the Nagasaki Velca’s 71-68 loss to the Akita Northern Happinets.
The presence of Mr. Sotto is a big boost for Gilas as the Tall Blacks come with seven footers and a couple of 6-foot-10 bigs in tow.
“They’re bringing a much bigger dimension than before,” said Mr. Cone about New Zealand.
Mr. Cone, on the other hand, is happy to have Mr. Fajardo and Mr. Sotto in the barn.
“The good thing is that Kai and June Mar are developing a chemistry that they can play together. And that’s rare to get two five players (centers) and let them play together,” he said.
He praised this because of Mr. Sotto and his willingness to make sacrifices, explaining his attitude by saying “I am comfortable with the five but I will go and play with the four (power forward) and not be relaxed so that June Mar can stay with the five.”
“It’s a really good rotation. We have both of them who can play together. Then when June Mar rests, Kai can swing for five. And when June Mar returns, Kai can swing back to four. And so we always have.
“And that’s what was missing when we played (and lost) against Brazil in the semifinals of the OQT (Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia) when Kai was injured. We didn’t have that ability to do that. It was a tough road in June. Kai’s presence makes it a lot easier,” he added. – Olmin Leyba
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