Kai Sotto left out of Gilas Pilipinas roster for FIBA Window 2, status still uncertain 

Speculation has been running rampant online about Gilas Pilipinas’ lineup for Window 2 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Social media has been abuzz after names and photos of a supposed “Final 12” appeared on FIBA’s official website for the games against New Zealand on February 26 and Australia on March 1.

The roster posted included Chris Newsome, RJ Abarrientos, Scottie Thompson, June Mar Fajardo, Cjay Perez, Dwight Ramos, Japeth Aguilar, Kevin Quiambao, Justin Brownlee, Carl Tamayo, AJ Edu, and Quentin Millora-Brown. Notably missing was 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto, who has just returned from an ACL injury and resumed play with the Koshigaya Alphas in Japan’s B.League.

Despite the online buzz, Gilas head coach Tim Cone emphasized that nothing has been finalized. “No, not at all,” Cone said when asked if the lineup had been set. “That is still very much to be determined.”

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LALARO NA BA SI KAI?

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone said they are carefully monitoring the status of big man Kai Sotto amid uncertainty over his availability for the second window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers later this month. pic.twitter.com/DFkYEu5Qou

— Fastbreak (@fastbreaknewsph) February 11, 2026

Cone has previously expressed excitement about Sotto’s potential return to the national team after sitting out more than a year. “We’re excited about Kai, but still tempering expectations,” Cone said. 

“We hope he can join us fully.” The Gilas coach added. 

Sources, however, suggest that Sotto, only three weeks into his comeback, is unlikely to be available for the February window, leaving his participation uncertain. The final roster will typically be confirmed after the manager’s meeting held just days before the first game.

The FIBA webpage posting echoes the lineup from Window 1 last year, which still included retired veteran Japeth Aguilar, underscoring that online rosters can be misleading until officially ratified.

Gilas Pilipinas is set to kick off preparations for Window 2 on February 16, but until then, the lineup remains a work in progress—and fans will have to wait to see who will actually take the court against two of Asia’s toughest opponents.

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