Recovering Kai Sotto won’t see action in the FIBA Asia Cup but will still join Gilas Pilipinas when it flies to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Head coach Tim Cone said the team is bringing in the 7-foot-3 center in the tournament slated from 5 to 17 August.

“Kai will be with us. He’s going to travel with us. That’s what we’ve worked out so far,” Cone said Friday night after Barangay Ginebra’s 101-99 escape over Blackwater in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Sotto is still months away from full recovery after sustaining a torn left anterior cruciate ligament while playing for his Japan B.League club Koshigaya Alphas.

“He’s going to the tournament with us, but obviously he won’t play or practice or anything at that point,” Cone added.

“But at least he’ll be part of the team and that’s really, really crucial.”

Sotto missed the third window of the Asia Cup qualifiers, where Gilas lost on the road to Chinese Taipei and New Zealand.

Gilas seeks payback against the Taiwanese and the Tall Blacks in the main draw. The Filipinos are bunched with Chinese Taipei, New Zealand and Iraq in Group D.

Sotto is expected to be in Gilas uniform by November in time for the opening window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

“We’re not going to rush or demand that he (Kai) get back, but we’re really pleased that he’s going to come to Jeddah with us. That’s a really nice (gesture). It keeps the chemistry and bond moving forward,” Cone said.