ACCORDING to his own assessment, young Filipino center Kai Sotto is confident that he will be prepared to participate in Gilas Pilipinas’ matches against Montenegro and Mexico, just days prior to the commencement of the 2023 FIBA World Cup. These matches are intended as tune-up games for the national team.

Sotto shared that since his arrival in Manila two weeks ago, he has been diligently undergoing rehabilitation for his back injury, which he sustained during his recent game with the Orlando Magic in the NBA Summer League.

“I believe the rehabilitation process is progressing well. My back has shown significant improvement compared to my time in the U.S.,” Sotto disclosed during an interview with veteran sports analyst Quinito Henson and Dyan Castillejo on the YouTube Sports Channel, Playitright TV.

“I’m following a regimen of 12 rehabilitation sessions, and I’ve already completed six. Gradually, I’m engaging in my rehabilitation exercises and incorporating some weight training,” he added.

Encouraged by the positive strides in his back’s recovery, Sotto expressed his anticipation to return to the court and resume drills within the next few days.

Sotto mentioned that while he would have liked to join Gilas, currently competing in the 2023 Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament in Guangdong, China, he deemed it a pragmatic decision to skip the China pocket tournament. This choice aligns with his focus on ensuring a complete recovery for his back, guaranteeing his readiness for the upcoming World Cup.

“As there is still ample time before the first World Cup game, my priority is to utilize these days effectively to facilitate a thorough healing process for my back. This way, I’ll be in optimal condition when the World Cup arrives,” he elaborated.

In their initial two contests, the Philippines achieved a victory over Iran’s B Team, prevailing 76-65 on August 3, followed by a defeat to Senegal with a score of 72-63 on the evening of August 4.