Uncertainty over Japeth Aguilar, Kai Sotto dampens Gilas Pilipinas frontline excitement

FILE–Gilas Pilipinas center Kai Sotto during a game against Lebanon in the fourth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Beirut. Photo by Fiba

MANILA, Philippines–A lot of people are excited about Gilas Pilipinas’ chance of fielding a tall and agile roster built around the likes of Justin Brownlee, June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, and Kai Sotto when the Philippines hosts Lebanon and Jordan in the sixth and final window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers later this month.

But national coach Chot Reyes was quick to hose down excitement with a bit of reality check on Saturday night.

“That’s a huge blow for us,” the program director said, referring to Aguilar’s knee sprain that could potentially scratch the two-time World Cup participant from the two homestands at Philippine Arena.

“Aside from the size, it’s also the leadership. What Japeth brings is big—a huge leadership component for us, so that’s going to be big for us,” he added.

Aguilar has been rehabbing a sprained knee since hurting it against NLEX last Feb. 8, and his Ginebra coach and Gilas deputy Tim Cone has since said that there’s no timeline for the veteran forward’s return as of the moment.

Japeth Aguilar during a Gilas Pilipinas stint. –FIBA PHOTO

The cloud of uncertainty hovering over the Nationals ahead of the showcase being used to plot Gilas roster combinations also seems to be thicker as Sotto’s status remains up in the air.

“I know that they’re talking, there are negotiations. We’ve made a very good offer. It’s up to them now what they are going to do with it,” Reyes said of the young big man, who recently parted ways with Aussie club Adelaide 36ers to play for Hiroshima Dragonflies in the Japanese B.League.

“Of course, I hope that they do (agree on a deal). But we’ll never know until (Sotto) is actually here,” he added.

An earlier media report said that Sotto could beg off from Gilas duty to focus on reviving his NBA dream.

This window would’ve been the first time that Reyes and the program won’t be dealing with manpower woes and actually get the players it wanted outside, of course, of spitfire guard Jordan Clarkson, who is neck-deep in backstopping Utah Jazz in the ongoing NBA season.

No stranger to hiccups like these, Reyes—an ardent preacher of being agile and flexible throughout his coaching career—is looking at things with a slightly rosy lens.

“Others will have to step forward and play their game,” he said of Aguilar’s possible absence, which significantly slashes Gilas’ potential frontline.

With the Sotto situation, however, Reyes is banking on cautious optimism.

“He’s always told us how committed he is to the national team, how he wants to serve [the country]. And I think you could all see that in his own statements,” he the seasoned tactician said.

“But until he’s here, then we will never really know,” he went on.

It could be recalled that Sotto’s previous handlers botched his gig with the NBA G League ignite team and bid to make the 2022 NBA Rookie Draft. He is now represented by Los Angeles-based music and sports management agency Wasserman alongside East West Private.