Gilas Pilipinas is prepared to field Japeth Aguilar as a replacement for Kai Sotto, should the 22-year-old, 7-foot-3 center’s injury sustained during Sunday’s Japan B. League game prevent him from joining the Philippine men’s national basketball team for the Asia Cup Qualifying window in February.
Although Gilas has already secured qualification for the Asia Cup in August, the team is determined to maintain its flawless record in the qualifiers. This would ensure a higher seeding and, ideally, avoid facing stronger teams until later in the tournament, set to take place in Doha, Qatar.
Sotto’s towering presence in the middle has been crucial to Gilas’ defense, which has been key in their perfect 4-0 record so far, including a historic win over New Zealand in a FIBA-sanctioned game. New Zealand, eager for revenge, will look to even the score in their home court during their February 23 match.
Gilas head coach Tim Cone said Sunday night, after his team Ginebra’s win over sister team San Miguel, that Aguilar is ready to step in for Sotto if the injury keeps him out of the upcoming games against New Zealand and Chinese Taipei.
Sotto appeared to injure his left knee at the 6:20 mark of the first quarter while posting up against the Seahorses’ Zach Auguste. He collapsed to the floor and was visibly in pain, clutching his knee, before being stretchered off the court.
Prior to the November qualifying window in Manila, Sotto had already dealt with a left ankle injury during a game on November 7. Despite this, he was cleared to play for Gilas just days before the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, held from November 21 to 24 in Manila.
By the third quarter of Sunday’s game, Sotto was back on the bench for the Koshigaya Alphas, wearing his warm-up uniform and remaining sidelined for the rest of the game. Gilas is now awaiting the results of an MRI and an official medical update from his team in the B. League.
