Kai Sotto reaffirms commitment to play for Gilas Pilipinas in World Cup

Kai Sotto has reaffirmed his commitment to play for Gilas Pilipinas once he is well enough to join the team’s preparartions for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

“I’m always committed to play for the national team kahit anong mangyari,” said the Filipino center.

“It’s very important [to suit up for Gilas]. For me, basketball-wise, I’m at my happiest kapag naglalaro ako for the national team dahil proven na yan dahil 15 pa lang ako naglalaro na ako,” said Sotto during an inteview with PlayitRight TV.

“Sobrang fulfilling ng pakiramdam, kaya every time na may chance ako to put out that jersey, sobrang nagiging excited ako. Ngayong darating na yung World Cup, sobrang mixed emotions. Sobrang excited, I can’t wait.”

The Hiroshima Dragonflies’ 7-foot-3 center revealed that he missed the team’s trip to China for a short pocket tournament but is hopeful that he will be able to return in time for the team’s tune-up games against Montenegro and Mexico in the days leading up to the World Cup.

“I think by those two games, I think I’ll be ready, I think I’ll be good na. These past two weeks of rehab, slowly I’m getting better, so I think by that time I think I’ll be good,” he added.

Sotto is well aware of head coach Chot Reyes’ remarks with regards to his availability in the national team’s preparations for the World Cup, but the NBA aspirant would rather focus on the things he can control.

“For me, I just got to focus on what I can control and that’s myself. ‘Di naman lahat ng tao alam yung nangyayari. I don’t see any problem naman, I don’t see what’s the issue. I just need to be 100% ready physically and mentally,” said Sotto.

He then updated everyone on the status of his recovery from the back injury he suffered while playing for the Orlando Magic in the NBA Summer League.

“I think the rehab is going well. Slowly, mas umo-okay na ‘rin yung likod ko compared nung nasa US pa ‘ko,” he said. “It’s going better now, I’m supposed to do 12 sessions, nasa six na ako. Hopefully next week maka step on court na ako to do some drills.”

Gilas will play Montenegro on the 20th and Mexico on the 21st, just four days before their World Cup campaign kicks off on the 25th at the Philippine Arena against the Dominican Republic.