It has been a long 2022-23 campaign for Kai Sotto.
The 7-foot-3 second-generation cager started his year in Australia, playing a total of 30 games for Adelaide in NBL-Australia.
(C) Adelaide 36ers
In between, he went to Lebanon and Manila to represent Gilas Pilipinas in Window 5 of the FIBA World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers.
(C) FIBA.basketball
As the NBL season ended, he went straight to Japan to play for Hiroshima. He played 24 more games in the B.League.
(C) B.League
To cap his season off, Sotto flew to the United States to try his luck with Orlando in the NBA Summer League.
“It’s been a bit tough, but it’s been a good year,” he told Play It Right TV on Friday evening.
Though the grind was tough, it was fulfilling.
Still, it took a toll on his young body.
In his last game with the Magic in the Summer League, Sotto could not finish the game after experiencing back spasms.
(C) NBA Philippines
“Throughout the Summer League and the camps, I was managing my back.
“When we played against Boston, I attempted some plays, but it was a bit challenging, and as time went on, I experienced back spasms. I tried to come back in the second half, but I couldn’t. It was frustrating for a player because it was my last game in the Summer League, and that’s when I got hurt,” he shared.
Staying true to his promise to his home country, Sotto immediately flew back home after the preseason tournament of the NBA ended.
However, he could not immediately join Gilas Pilipinas for their build-up for the World Cup proper, needing to rehabilitate his back.
According to Play It Right TV host Quinito Henson, Sotto has been in and out of Makati Medical Center for treatment.
So far, Sotto is on track to join the national team once they return to Manila from China.
“I’m supposed to do twelve sessions, and I’ve done six, so slowly but surely. Hopefully, by next week, I’ll be able to step on the court and do some drills. My back is feeling better compared to when I was still in the US,” he said about his progress.
“I think I’ll be good, I’ll be okay.
“I don’t see any problem. I don’t see what the issue is. For me, I just need more time to recover and be physically and mentally ready for the World Cup. I don’t really worry about what people say because that’s their opinion,” he continued.
Despite the issues being thrown at him, Sotto is undeterred with his commitment to the national team.
After all, he has been the program’s most loyal soldier for the past six years.
Photo from FIBA.basketball
“Basketball-wise, I’m happiest when I’m playing for my national team. It’s proven, ever since I was fifteen years old, I played for the sixteen- and seventeen-under teams up to the under-eighteen and nineteen teams,” said Sotto, who led the Philippines to the Under-17 and Under-19 World Cups during the past cycle and has seven seniors caps under his name.
“As long as I’m wearing our jersey, and I get to practice for the country, I feel fulfilled. Every time I have the chance to put on that jersey, I’m so excited.”
Come the World Cup, Gilas will face the Dominican Republic, Angola, and Italy.
Though those teams will have NBA-level talent on their roster, Sotto stresses that they will not back down.
“We may not be as talented as the other teams, but we will never give up.”
