Kai Sotto, the 7-foot-3 prized center of Gilas Pilipinas, will not join the Philippine men’s national basketball team during the February window of the Asia Cup qualifiers.
The 22-year-old Sotto confirmed the news Wednesday via social media, ending the uncertainty that had been building after he was stretchered off the court during Sunday’s game for his team, the Koshigaya Alphas, in Japan’s B League.
“The worst way to start the year—might be the darkest day of my basketball career—when I was told I tore my ACL,” Sotto wrote on Instagram.
He was referring to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in his right knee, a major injury involving the connective tissue that links the thighbone to the shinbone. Recovery from an ACL tear typically takes several months, casting doubt on whether Sotto will be available to join Gilas for the Asia Cup Championships in August in Doha, Qatar.
“Tough to let this one sink in. I appreciate all the love and support everyone has given me these past few days. I know God has a better plan for me, and we just have to keep going,” Sotto added.
Though Gilas has already secured its ticket to the Asia Cup, the team remains determined to finish the qualifiers with a perfect record to ensure a higher seeding and, ideally, avoid stronger opponents until later in the tournament.
Sotto’s dominant presence in the paint has been key to Gilas’ defense, which has helped the team maintain a flawless 4-0 record so far, including a historic victory over New Zealand in a FIBA-sanctioned game. New Zealand, eager for revenge, will host the Philippines for a rematch on February 23.
Gilas head coach Tim Cone expressed his heartbreak over the injury when speaking to the Manila Bulletin, but he also voiced confidence that Sotto could recover quickly and resume his basketball career.
