Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

2023 FIBA World Cup

Kai, Scottie in race against time to be in competitive shape


It was just last Sunday when Gilas Pilipinas finally had its complete roster practicing together.

During that day, the skilled big man Kai Sotto and the do-it-all guard Scottie Thompson finally joined the 14 other players in the pool.

And now, they are racing against time to be in competitive shape in order to be part of the national team’s final 12 for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

“We are finally complete with 16 guys in practice.

“However, they are not there yet, obviously coming off a break. Scottie seems to be okay, but I’m pretty sure that they are not yet in 100-percent basketball competitive shape. We have 10 days to make up for that. I don’t know if that’s enough,” said Gilas head coach Chot Reyes during the ‘relaunch’ of Max’s “Puso to the Max” campaign on Tuesday.

2023-PBA-on-Tour-Converge-vs-Ginebra-Scottie-Thompson Kai, Scottie in race against time to be in competitive shape 2023 FIBA World Cup Basketball Gilas Pilipinas News  - philippine sports news

(C) PBA Images

Thompson, the ace point guard of Gilas, suffered a metacarpal fracture on his right hand during Gilas’ training camp in Kaunas.

PVL-Invitational-F2-vs.-Cignal-bronze-Kai-Sotto-Fifi-Sharma-1068 Kai, Scottie in race against time to be in competitive shape 2023 FIBA World Cup Basketball Gilas Pilipinas News  - philippine sports newsMeanwhile, Sotto had been nursing a back injury he sustained during Orlando’s final game in the NBA Summer League on July 17.

Gilas will still have tune-up games against Côte d’Ivoire, Montenegro, and Mexico which will determine who will make the final 12.

“I know a lot of people would have wanted us to have an earlier announcement, but it’s just two days ago that we were completed.

“Very, very hard and I’m dreading it. It’s a big source of stress for me because we have to make some difficult decisions. Most of the guys have been with us for the last couple of months, always present, and never heard a word of complaint from them. But we have to make very difficult decisions,” said Reyes.

#ReadMore  Chot Reyes not worried about 'We want Baldwin' chants
Written By


You May Also Like

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas continue to navigate around manpower woes but the return of Scottie Thompson and June Mar Fajardo is a reason why Coach Tim...

Basketball

Justin Brownlee is expected to suit up and play in Gilas Pilipinas’ home stand in the upcoming window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025...

Basketball

AJ Edu is doubtful to see action for Gilas Pilipinas in the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers’ second window no thanks to another...

Basketball

Aside from the pride of representing Gilas Pilipinas once again, Kevin Quiambao shared that his newborn son, Kevin Vennan, will serve as an added...

Basketball

Angelo Kouame has rejoined the Gilas Pilipinas pool for the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers. The 6-foot-11 Filipino-Ivorian center, who currently plays for...

Basketball

Justin Brownlee is hoping for another crack at Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and TNT after falling short in the PBA Season 49 Governors Cup Finals. The...

Basketball

TNT completed its back-to-back bid in the PBA Governors’ Cup following a dramatic 95-85 come-from-behind win over Barangay Ginebra in Game 6 of the...

Basketball

Calvin Oftana let his game do all the talking to show that he has moved on from his frustrations back in Game 4 of...

Advertisement