The Filipino youngster will not join the young guns Gilas for the Fiba Asia Cup qualifer in Indonesia next month.
Kai Sotto will soon join his Australian team Adelaide 36ers, who are gearing up for the upcoming National Basketball League season.
“We are told that Kai would be fulfilling his commitment with Adelaide,” Ryan Gregorio, special assistant to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio, said.
“His management team informed us that Kai is bound to join his new team as soon as possible.”
This means the 7-foot-3 Sotto will also miss the King Abdulla Cup that will be held next week, where they will compete against big teams in Asia like Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Tunisia.
This is great exposure and experience for the young gilas squad as they can use this as preparation for their Fiba Asia Cup in Indonesia this August.
The 19-year-old averaged 9.3 points and 7 rebounds in three games as he helped Gilas Pilipinas sweep its group in the Asia Cup Qualifiers.
With Sotto out of the rotation, naturalized player Ange Kouame is expected to get more minutes and frontline duties.
Image Source: Yahoo Sports, Forbes, Gilas Pilipinas
additional reports: Olmin Leyba Philstar
