NO KAI IN CHINA

Kai Sotto finally showed up and joined Gilas Pilipinas in its training for the FIBA Basketball World Cup that the country will host from 25 August to 10 September.

But the 7-foot-3 slotman confirmed that he won't be joining the four-nation tourney in China, a crucial event that will serve as Gilas Pilipinas' final test before marching to the World Cup.

Together with his father, former Philippine Basketball Association standout Ervin Sotto, Sotto joined Gilas and made some light workouts like
long-range shooting and short jumpers. He also helped in shagging out the balls for his teammates while being relegated into a spectator when the team started doing live drills.

Sotto said he has yet to be cleared by his doctors after suffering a back injury in his last game for the Orlando Magic in the National Basketball Association Summer League.

In fact, he needs to complete 12 therapy sessions on his lower back, prompting him to pull out of the Gilas team that will battle Senegal, Iran and Lebanon in the friendly series in the Chinese province of Guangdong from 2 to 6 August.

His father said Sotto just completed three therapy sessions. His doctors, however, will not make an assessment until he completes his sixth.

"I'm not yet given clearance by my doctors," Sotto told Daily Tribune in an exclusive interview.

"I need to undergo rehab and, even if I want to play, I am not yet at my full strength."

He said his willingness to play for the country has never changed.

"I'm really excited to rejoin the practice," the 21-year-old Sotto said.

"I've wanted to play for Gilas ever since I was a teenager. I played in the under-16 and the under-18 teams and really wanted to play for the country as long as I can."

He added that he is in no rush to play as he plans to follow his doctors' instructions of completing 12 sessions to make sure that his body can handle the pressure.

"In the past, I've been playing injured with the national team, but I still played and competed," Sotto said, adding that he doesn't want to risk his health because he wants to be at full strength in the World Cup.

"This situation isn't new for me."

"I hope to recover fast and wants to join at full strength. I'm excited to play for the team."

His father echoed his statement, saying that it was his son who really wanted to drop by Gilas training even if he knows that he couldn't actively participate.

"We don't want to rush as this might aggravate his injury, but you have to admire Kai because he really wanted to play in the first place," the elder Sotto said.

"He was the one who insisted to train even though he's not yet cleared to play."