Kai Sotto gives an update on his right rib injury he sustained during Gilas' last Group A match against Georgia in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament on Thursday, July 4.
While the tests for his hurt rib turned out negative for fracture, Kai Sotto bared that he is still experiencing pain and thus hopes for a "miracle" to be able to suit up in Gilas' semifinal match against Brazil on Saturday, July 6.
Sotto sat out most of the Nationals' 94-96 semis clincher against Georgia on July 4 after incurring the injury at the 6:42 mark of the second period when defender Joe Thomasson caused him to fall and Orlando Magic's Goga Bitadze landed on him thereafter.
Sotto joined the Nationals' practice on Friday but admitted how the pain is affecting his movement.
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"Nilalagyan ng patch tapos kanina para akong mummy, ang daming tape para lang maka-practice ako," Sotto told One Sports.
"Sobrang hirap. Kanina tina-try ko, hindi ako maka-explode. Kahit pagtapak 'pag tumatakbo, masakit. So, hopefully, magkaroon ng miracle bukas, mawala lahat ng sakit para makapaglaro ako."
Gilas Pilipinas' Kai Sotto in action against Georgia before exiting the match three minutes into the second period after hurting his rib. | Photo (c) FIBA
Sotto described the incident that caused his injury, saying that he felt something click on his right rib, causing him to experience difficulty in breathing for a few minutes.
"Pa-side akong nahulog tapos 'di ko siya (Bitadze) nakita. Noong nabagsakan niya ako, parang may nag-click sa kanang rib ko, eh. Tapos 'di ako makahinga nang maayos for ilang seconds, mga ilang minutes. Tina-try kong habulin 'yung breath ko. Ang bilis ng pangyayari. Hindi ko in-expect kasi biglaan. Tapos 'yun nga, medyo masakit," said Sotto.
Sotto immediately went to the hospital after the match where he has been cleared of fracture.
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He said that he feels spasm in the area and struggles even in his sleep, but he is still hoping that he could be 100 percent by Saturday.
"Nagsa-spasm din siya mag-isa so everytime na i-aactivate ko 'yung core ko, parang magka-cramps siya. So, mahirap. Kahit sa pagtulog, hindi ako makatulog sa side na 'to. Nagigising ako," said Sotto.
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"One to ten (level of pain), mataas. Puwede na nga akong hindi mag-practice pero gusto ko talagang i-try kung makakaya ko. Hopefully, magka-miracle na 100 percent na lang ako bukas paggising ko. So pray tayo," he added.
Gilas aims to move closer to realizing its Olympic dream when it slugs it out with Brazil in their knockout semifinal joust at 8:30 p.m.
(With reports from Nic Earnshaw/Cignal TV, One Sports)