GILAS Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone is not considering Kai Sotto for the national team’s 2026 Asian Games roster despite the Filipino center’s availability.
“Not at this time,” Cone said in a short Viber message to Fastbreak on Friday.
Sotto’s availability for the continental tournament became more plausible after his planned move to the US NCAA fell through because of an eligibility issue.
The 7-foot-3 center was reportedly set to join Texas A&M but was unable to secure clearance under the NCAA’s rules covering athletes with previous professional experience.
Sotto began his professional career with the Adelaide 36ers in Australia’s NBL before continuing in Japan with the Hiroshima Dragonflies, Yokohama B-Corsairs and Koshigaya Alphas.
With his NCAA plans now scrapped, Sotto is weighing other options for the upcoming season, including possible opportunities in Japan, Taiwan, Korea and Europe, as well as potential NBA contracts.
However, Cone indicated that the development has not immediately changed Gilas’ Asian Games plans.
Gilas currently has an 11-man group preparing for the tournament, with the final roster spot being kept open for Justin Brownlee, who remains in the United States while recovering from injuries and awaiting medical clearance.
The Philippines is set to defend its men’s basketball gold medal in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with its campaign beginning against Bahrain on Sept. 11.
It will then face Kazakhstan on Sept. 12 and China on Sept. 14. (Adrian Co)
