MANILA, Philippines — Nanganganib na hindi makapaglaro sina Kai Sotto at AJ Edu sa laban ng Gilas Pilipinas sa FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers na gaganapin sa Nobyembre 21 at 24 sa Mall of Asia Arena sa Pasay City.
Ayon kay Gilas team manager Richard del Rosario, under obrservation pa si Sotto base na rin sa six-step concussion protocol na inilatag ng Japan B.League.
Nakikipag-ugnayan ang Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) sa medical team na humahawak kay Sotto sa Japan upang malaman ang estado nito.
“We’ve been in touch with the medical team of Kai Sotto in Japan. He’s been put under the concussion protocol of the B.League. We are following that and he’s in the process of completing that concussion protocol,” ani Del Rosario.
Kailangan ni Sotto na makumpleto ang six-step concussion protocol kung saan kasalukuyang nasa third step na ang 7-foot-3 Pinoy cager.
“From all indications, he will be available come game time upon completion of those protocols. Right now, there are six steps to be taken. He’s on his third step, and it’s not as easy as going to the next step right away,” ani Del Rosario.
Ito’y madali dahil kada step, kailangan ni Sotto na kumonsulta sa doctor bago magtungo sa susunod na step.
Umaasa ang SBP na mapapadali ang pagkumpleto ni Sotto sa protocol upang makapaglaro ito sa krusyal na laban ng Gilas Pilipinas at New Zealand sa Nobyembre 21.
“Considering everything, if he passes all those steps, by the time that we play New Zealand, then he can play. He can even practice days before that,” ani Del Rosario.
Sa kabilang banda, nagtamo naman si Edu ng injury sa huling laro nito kasama ang Nagasaki Velca sa Japan B.League.
“These are young guys and he and AJ Edu are still the future of Philippine basketball. We’re not just preparing them for this window but for the future windows as well,” ani Del Rosario.
Nakikipag-usap din ang SBP sa medical team ni Edu sa Japan para malaman ang eksaktong lagay ng injury nito.
“AJ suffered an injury in his last game in Japan. Right now, we are in communication also with the medical team of AJ in the B.League. He needs to undergo strengthening with his knee because AJ has a long history of injuries,” dagdag ni Del Rosario.