By REYNALD MAGALLON
Kai Sotto finally reconnected with Gilas Pilipinas after attending its closed door tuneup game against the Ateneo Blue Eagles at the Moro Lorenzo Gym on Thursday, July 20.
Although the 7-foot-3 center did not suit up for the national team during the game, it was a welcome development for Gilas especially with his participation shrouded by doubts following the back injury he sustained during the NBA Summer League.
Sotto, who arrived in the country Thursday morning, hinted at possibly taking some time to rest after playing non-stop basketball in the NBL Australia, Japan B. League and a couple of training camps in the US since he first launched his bid for the NBA in 2021.
The back injury hindered Sotto’s bid to impress in the Summer League after failing to finish Orlando Magic’s game against the Boston Celtics. Sotto, though, did have some time to shine after starting the tournament with three DNP’s, finishing with six points, four rebounds and three blocks in 13 minutes of play against the Portland Trail Blazers.
It is still uncertain when Sotto will formally join the Gilas practice but his attendance should say a lot about his commitment with the national team especially with head coach Chot Reyes already drawing the line with a July 25 cutoff time for players who have yet to join the training camp.
“For anyone to be able to play in China, they have to come to practice at the very least July 25.That means you have one week practice lang before China but again we understand naman the situation of the others so we’re willing to bend over naman for that,” said Reyes.
With Sotto’s return, NBA star and naturalized player Jordan Clarkson was the only unaccounted player from the remaining 19 players from the pool.
