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Kai Sotto wears the Hiroshima Dragonfly uniform. -PHOTO B.LIGA
MANILA, Philippines – Kai Sotto insists his time with the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the Japan B.League will not affect his commitment to Gilas Pilipinas.
The 7-foot-3 center missed the final 2023 Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifying window as he decided to focus on his new club team, playing two months in Japan as part of his path to rekindling his NBA dreams.
But Sotto, who played for the Adelaide 36ers for two National Basketball League seasons in Australia, said his short stint in Japan will not hinder his national team duties.
“I don’t think so, because, as I said, we have to say, this is the second half of the season, the season will end in May,” Sotto said during the opening press conference on Thursday.
“I don’t think it will hinder the commitment of the national team,” he said.
After ending their qualifying campaign with a 91-90 loss against Jordan last Monday at the Philippine Arena, national team coach Chot Reyes said they may look for a high naturalized player since Sotto was unavailable in the last window.
“We are not ruling out the possibility of even going out and looking for another 6-10, 6-11 guy,” Reyes said. “With the uncertainty about Kai Sotto’s situation, if he’s not going to be available, I have to think about that as well. I mean, that’s just part of the whole plan on our plate right now.
“You can’t come and show up and be a team, right? It doesn’t matter who you are. You have to be able to be part of the preparation. Be part of it. It’s not just available two weeks before and everything. That’s not going to happen,” he said.
The national team will try to redeem itself at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia in May before starting full preparations for the 2023 World Cup in August.
When Sotto was asked when he would return to the country to join Gilas Pilipinas, he said it still depends as his main focus is to help the Dragonflies, who hold a 28-10 record in the 2022-23 season.
“Like I said it depends. Right now, I’m just focused on the next three months with the team, helping this team qualify for the playoffs, get a championship,” said Sotto. “And whatever happens after that, happens.”
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