Kai Sotto's chances of seeing action for Gilas Pilipinas is getting nil as the rehabilitation for his back injury will not be completed until 21 August, barely four days before the opening salvo of the FIBA Basketball World Cup at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

In a message to Daily Tribune, Sotto's father in former Philippine Basketball Association stalwart Ervin Sotto admitted that his son still has to undergo rehabilitation to treat the back injury that he suffered in his final game in the National Basketball Association Summer League in Las Vegas.

Erwin said his son needs to complete nine therapy sessions that are scheduled until 21 August. Once his rehabilitation has been completed, then that's the only time that they can seek medical clearance from their doctors.

In a previous statement, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio stressed that they will not allow Sotto to play unless he presents a medical clearance.

Panlilio said they want to know the extent of his injury before they give him the green light to join Gilas Pilipinas in the biggest and most prestigious basketball spectacle in the world.

But with his father claiming that his son will have to undergo rehabilitation until 21 August, seeing Sotto compete for the Filipinos is getting quite impossible.

"From what I know, he will be finishing his rehab on 21 August," Sotto said in a Viber message.

"That will be the only time we will know if he will be given clearance (by his doctors)."

Sotto had already signified his intention to play in the World Cup by striking a deal with the federation over a week ago, two days after National Basketball Association star Jordan Clarkson formally made himself available for Gilas.

He attended Gilas training three times, where he was limited to doing light workouts.