Kai Sotto will not be with Gilas Pilipinas when it flies to Jeddah tonight for the FIBA Asia Cup set from 5 to 17 August.

Sotto, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury last January, said he is still recovering, prompting him to miss the trip to the mineral-rich country where the Filipinos will chase the continental crown.

The 7-foot-3 star was at the sidelines as Gilas delivered a 103-98 win over the Macau Black Bears in a friendly match last Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

He was in street clothes but was obviously happy seeing his Gilas teammates rally from a huge 21-point deficit to beat the visitors bannered by former University of the Philippines standout Quentin Millora-Brown.

“I won’t be able to join because I need to continue my rehab. If I join, my rehab program might stop and my team wants me back in Japan,” Sotto said.

“I don’t know how long my recovery will be. I’m just taking it day by day.”

Sotto’s injury was a big blow to Gilas’ campaign in the build-up to the FIBA Asia Cup.

Without his imposing presence in the shaded lanes, the Philippines lost to Chinese Taipei, 84-91, and New Zealand, 70-87, last February in the Asia Cup Qualifiers.

Gilas will have a chance to get back at the Taiwanese and the Kiwis after they landed in the same group together with Asian minnow Iraq in the first round.

Expected to step up without Sotto are Japeth Aguilar, AJ Edu, Troy Rosario and June Mar Fajardo, while naturalized player Justin Brownlee can also provide defensive muscle underneath.

Sotto hopes to recover well and rejoin Gilas, at least for the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers in November.

“Hopefully, the rehab ends soon but I want to make sure I will recover properly,” Sotto said.