SEVEN-FOOT-THREE Zachary “Kai” Sotto could only have a one-day practice with the national team to the third and final window of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup qualifier in Clark.
That is if the Gilas Pilipinas coaching staff puts Sotto’s name on the 12-man roster.
Sotto arrived from the US on June 1 and is serving a 14-day quarantine that ends on June 15, one day before the Philippines’s match against South Korea in the bubble competition set at the Angeles University Foundation Gym in Pampanga.
“Kai gives us size, but I can’t say he’s a shoo-in. Let’s hope for the best,” Coach Jong Uichico said.
The 16-member Gilas pool is training inside the Inspire Sports Academy bubble in Calamba. Helping Uichico as his assistants are Boyet Fernandez, Caloy Garcia and Tab Baldwin.
The Gilas pool has four big men capable of manning the shade—6-foot-11 Ange Kouame, 6-foot-7 Justine Baltazar, 6-foot-8 Isaac Go and 6-foot-7 Tzaddy Rangel.
Also in the pool are Jordan Heading, Jaydee Tungcab, twins Mike and Matt Nieto, Dwight Ramos, Jason Credo, Carl Tamayo, Dave Ildenfonso, Allein Bulanadi, Kenmark Carino, Geo Chiu and LeBron Lopez.
The Philippines will face Indonesia on June 18 and again South Korea on June 20.
Ryan Gregorio, Special Assistant to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Al Panlilio, said Sotto could end up making the roster after all.
“We have to play it by ear. He has to go through quarantine as mandated by the government. What is important is he is already in town. The schedule is very fluid,” Gregorio said.