Kai Sotto to travel with Gilas—not to play, but to stand with them

Gilas Pilipinas will be heading to Guam later this month with an unexpected but welcome presence in tow—a 7-foot-3 reminder that commitment to the flag goes beyond minutes and stat lines.

Though still sidelined by injury, Kai Sotto has chosen to fly with the team for the opening window of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, a gesture that coach Tim Cone believes carries weight far beyond the court.

“Kai is coming to town and he will be going with us too, to Guam,” Cone shared as Gilas opened its training camp. While the towering center won’t see action, his decision to remain embedded with the squad speaks volumes about his connection with the program.

“He won’t play but he is going to attend,” Cone clarified, welcoming the young star’s involvement.

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The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas officially names Quentin Millora-Brown and Juan Gomez de Liano to Gilas Pilipinas’ 18-man pool for the upcoming window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers. | : SBP via @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/987ZoPkFCS

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) November 17, 2025

 “He wants to support the team and we’re really happy he’s coming. So we’ll see what he can do.”

Sotto’s presence offers something intangible but invaluable for a team stepping into a pressure-packed road assignment. It also reaffirms his long-term bond with Gilas despite a year marked by setbacks.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas included him in its official 18-man pool for the first window—a nod to his importance not just in the present, but the future.

Sotto last suited up for Gilas during the Asia Cup qualifiers, helping the national team secure impressive back-to-back wins against New Zealand and Hong Kong. But his season took a difficult turn in January when he suffered an injury while playing for the Koshigaya Alphas in Japan’s B. League, forcing him to miss the Asia Cup proper in Saudi Arabia.

Now, though still unable to return to full action, he’s choosing not to stay on the sidelines entirely. Instead, he’ll be traveling to Guam—supporting the team, staying engaged, and continuing to show that even in recovery, he remains part of Gilas’ heartbeat.

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