FILE–AJ Edu and Kai Sotto during Gilas Pilipinas’ Fiba World Cup stint. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Uncertainty surrounds the participation of Japan B.League Filipino-imports Kai Sotto and AJ Edu for Gilas Pilipinas for the second window of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers.
Gilas team manager Richard Del Rosario on Wednesday gave an update on the status of the two young big men, who sustained injuries in their respective B.League games.
For one, Sotto was placed in concussion protocol by the Japanese pro league after a collision in Koshigaya Alphas’ 80-72 win over Yokohama over the weekend.
READ: Gilas stint boosts Kai Sotto confidence ahead of B.League season
However, he is on pace to be medically cleared before Gilas Pilipinas’ first game in the second window on November 21. Sotto is currently here in the Philippines
“We’ve been in touch with the medical team of Kai’s team in Japan and he’s been put on concussion protocol by the B.League and we’re following that. He’s in the process of completing the protocol,” bared Del Rosario.
“From all indications given, he will be available come game time, upon completion of those protocols,” he added.
READ: AJ Edu emerges as Gilas Pilipinas’ most solid big man
Edu’s situation, however, isn’t looking too good for Gilas.
Just a day before Sotto suffered the mishap, Edu went down with a right knee injury in Nagasaki Velca’s 71-68 loss at the hands of the Akita Northern Happinets.
Unlike Sotto’s situation, Edu’s injury looks more serious.
“We all know AJ had a long history of knee injuries but once he arrives, we’ll be making an assessment with our staff and see from there,” said Del Rosario.
“It really depends on his recovery, if we would be available for the window. It’s unfortunate because it happened just days before coming into this window but we’re still hopeful he can recover in time and we can only see that once he arrives in the country.”