Kai Sotto and Gilas Pilipinas Men will err on the side of caution.
The 7-foot-3 big man will not be suiting up for the Philippines in its do-or-die game against Brazil in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024-Riga on Saturday evening due to a bruised rib.
With Sotto out, Japeth Aguilar was inserted into Tim Cone’s starting five.
Young guns Kevin Quiambao and Mason Amos are also expected to see playing time for the 10-man Gilas squad.
(c) FIBA.basketball
Gilas brought only 11 healthy players to Latvia as Scottie Thompson has been nursing an injured back since the FIBA World Cup 2023.
Sotto sustained his injury during Gilas’ game against Georgia last Thursday.
With 6:42 left in the second quarter, naturalized Georgian Joe Thomasson attempted to steal the ball from Sotto. However, in missing, he collided with the young Filipino, causing him to fall to the floor.
As Sotto went down, Goga Bitedze, standing at 6-foot-11 and weighing 250 pounds, landed on his abdomen area, resulting in visible pain for Sotto.
Sotto attempted to play through the discomfort, participating in Gilas’ practice on Friday evening. However, the pain persisted 24 hours later.
