The waiting game is finally over as Kai Sotto formally signed up with Gilas Pilipinas, making him available to see action in the FIBA Basketball World Cup that the country will host from 25 August to 10 September.

Gilas head coach Chot Reyes broke the news to Daily Tribune, saying that Sotto formally inked a deal that formalizes his inclusion in the Gilas Pilipinas squad that will vie in the prestigious 32-nation tournament.

Reyes, however, stressed that seeing him in action is a different story.

Sotto, after all, has yet to join training as he has yet to get clearance from his medical doctors after sustaining a back injury in his final game in the National Basketball Association Summer League.

In fact, he showed up in Gilas training on Tuesday to inform Reyes that he still has to rest despite already getting cleared by the physicians of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Still, having Sotto formally striking a deal with Gilas is a good sign.

"He just signed today (Wednesday)," Reyes said in a Viber message to Daily Tribune.

In a prior message, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio said time is running out and they are ready to move on with or without Sotto.

"We will go with what we have and battle as hard as we can," Panlilio said in a Viber message when asked about Sotto's reluctance to join the national squad.

"We want players who are committed to do the same and give it their all for our countrymen."

Prior to Sotto's signing, Gilas already reached an agreement with National Basketball Association player Jordan Clarkson.

Panlilio said Clarkson will be hooking up with his Gilas teammates on 6 August and will be ready to see action when they compete in a four-nation pocket tournament in China.