Kai Sotto joined Gilas’ first practice at the Inspire Sports Academy bubble where the team will stay until Nov. 18.
Kai Sotto has been put under Japan B.League’s concussion protocols, endangering his Gilas Pilipinas stint for the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers later this month.
That is why the national team is making sure Kai Sotto will be healthy in time for the Qualifiers.
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“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,” said Gilas team manager Richard del Rosario during a press conference last Nov. 13.
“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.”
Sotto absorbed an inadvertent hit in the third period of Koshigaya Alpha’s 80-72 win over Yokohama last Nov. 9.
After that, he retreated to the bench where he was treated and did not see action the rest of the game.
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Right now, Del Rosario said Gilas is taking some steps before the 7-foot-3 slotman gets cleared to play.
“Right now there are six steps to be taken. He's on his third step but it's not as easy as going to the next step right away so after one step there's an observation period before you go to the next step,” he said.
“If he passes all those all those steps then by the time that we play New Zealand then he can he can play. And he can even practice days before that, but of course primary considerations is health so we want to make sure that he's healthy enough to step back on the court.”
On Friday, Nov. 15, Sotto showed up at the national team’s first practice at the Inspires Sports Academy where they will stay until the 18th. Gilas will also hold its practice sessions from Nov. 19 to 20 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Philippines looks to score its first win against New Zealand on Nov. 21, before taking on Hong Kong three days later.
Gilas currently holds a 2-0 win-loss record for a share of the top spot with the Tall Blacks in Group B.
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