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  Belangel, Kouame link up, lead Ateneo comeback vs San Beda to claim PCCL crown
Written By


You May Also Like

Basketball

There was never any doubt in Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone’s mind about Scottie Thompson’s potential on the international stage. Thompson had seen...

Basketball

Despite coming off a concussion, Kai Sotto delivered a stellar performance, filling the stat sheet in Gilas Pilipinas’ landmark victory over New Zealand on...

Basketball

Nearly two years into his tenure with Gilas Pilipinas Men, Justin Brownlee has repeatedly proven that the Philippines’ success on the international basketball stage...

Basketball

Before the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers, Gilas Pilipinas Men’s head coach Tim Cone promised fans a highly-motivated and rejuvenated...

Basketball

After four lopsided defeats, Gilas Pilipinas finally cracked the Tall Blacks code. Kai Sotto and Justin Brownlee led the way as the Philippines secured...

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas has kept the same lineup for its upcoming FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifier against New Zealand on Thursday, with Justin Brownlee once...

Basketball

Filipino-American big man Quentin Millora-Brown has made a significant impact so far in his one-and-done season with University of the Philippines in the UAAP...

Basketball

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has officially appointed Alfrancis Chua as the program director and team manager for both the Gilas Pilipinas Boys’ and...

Advertisement