Conflict with new B. League team prevents Kai Sotto from joining Gilas in Asiad
Contrary to speculations that Kai Sotto didn’t get an invite to play for Gilas Pilipinas in the Asian Games in Nagoya, the camp of the country’s most important player came out in the open and disclosed to All-Star Magazine the real reason why the 7-foot-3 center failed to join our national basketball team’s campaign in the quadrennial meet.
Former PBA player Ervin Sotto, father of Kai, revealed that his son has just signed a contract with a new team in the Japan B.League, creating a conflict that prevented the second-generation player from taking part in the Asian Games.
Ervin Sotto disputes report on Kai’s Gilas absence
“Huwag kayo magpapaniwala kay Homer na yan, nanghuhula lang yan pati si Powcast. Nakakatawa nga kapag nakikita ko, modern Madam Auring silang dalawa,” wrote the elder Sotto via Messenger.
Sotto was referring to the column piece written by Homer Sayson at Spin.ph. A US-based journalist, Sayson also co-hosts a show with Paulo Salud at Powcast Sports Podcast.
Sotto had been included in the 30-man Asian Games roster submitted to organizers, while Cone had previously said the door remained open for the 7-foot-3 center depending on his schedule.
B.League commitments affected Gilas roster
According to Ervin, playing for the national team has always been a priority for Kai, but his absence along with several other overseas players like Dwight Ramos, Kevin Quiambao, AJ Edu and Carl Tamayo, prompted Gilas coach Tim Cone to tap PBA stars like Adrian Nocum, Robert Bolick, Calvin Oftana and Justine Baltazar among others to pick up the slack.
Worse, Gilas were not able to bring in any of their naturalized players at their disposal as none of NBA star Jordan Clarkson, beloved Barangay Ginebra import Justin Brownlee, Ange Kouame, Malick Diouf and the newest reinforcement, former San Miguel Beer import Bennie Boatwright were available to play for the national squad.
Showing up with a depleted roster, the Philippines failed to defend the Asian Games crown. The country waited for a long time to win the Asiad gold as prior to capturing the elusive prize three years ago, the Filipinos last won the title in 1962.
Ervin believes neither Gilas, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas nor Kai is to blame.
“ Gusto ni Kai maglaro. Kailan ba umayaw si Kai? Pero hindi puwede kasi nakapirma na siya sa bago niyang team (B. League). Magkakaroon ng conflict sa part namin and that goes to other players playing internationally,” added the elder Sotto.
The younger Sotto last saw action for Gilas Pilipinas barely a month ago alongside Tamayo, Quiambao, Edu, and Ramos helping the national team win its two games in the fourth window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
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