🏀Gilas Pilipinas Gears Up for Second FIBA World Cup Qualifiers Without Kai Sotto — 닌자티비 Fans Rally Behind the Crew
A well-known individual will be absent as Gilas Pilipinas gets ready to play Oceania's top basketball teams, Australia and New Zealand, in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. As he recovers from an ACL injury sustained earlier this year, Kai Sotto, the 7'3" center whose rim presence has been essential for Gilas in previous campaigns, will be out of commission for the forthcoming second qualifying window. Fans are buzzing with support and speculation on social media and 👉닌자티비 highlights as Gilas' coaching staff and medical team have chosen to prioritize Sotto's long-term health over a hasty comeback, even though he has returned to club activity in Japan's B.League.
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🛡️ Sotto’s Road Back from Injury
Sotto’s absence comes as no surprise given how serious an ACL tear can be — a setback that has kept him out of competitive play for a year and delayed his national team return. While he recently logged minutes with the Koshigaya Alphas and posted solid performances, Gilas head coach Tim Cone and the team are committed to managing his workload carefully. Pushing him too soon could jeopardise his future contributions both for club and country.
💪 Veterans Step Up for the Challenge
With Sotto unavailable, Gilas will lean on seasoned bigs like June Mar Fajardo, AJ Edu, and Carl Tamayo to patrol the paint. These veterans, combined with naturalised star Justin Brownlee and guards such as Scottie Thompson and Dwight Ramos, give the Philippines a well‑rounded roster capable of battling physical teams like the Tall Blacks and Boomers.
📍 What’s Next for Gilas
Gilas begins training camp in earnest this week as they aim to maintain their unbeaten record at the top of Group A and secure qualification for the FIBA World Cup once again. Sotto’s return may come in future windows, but for now, it’s all about team unity, resilience, and the collective effort of a squad determined to represent the Philippines with pride on the continental stage.
Fans are encouraged to pack the Mall of Asia Arena and flood social platforms with support — the heart of Filipino basketball runs deep even without one of its tallest stars.
