Kai Sotto set to go home and reinforce Gilas Pilipinas

Kai Sotto is back to fulfill his national team duties (FIBA photo)

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Filipino basketball superstar Kai Sotto is expected to arrive in the Philippines and join his Gilas Pilipinas brothers.

Sources confirmed that Sotto was seen in a Japan Airlines flight and will set foot in the country not later than Tuesday afternoon.

The seven-foot-three center earlier confirmed his commitment with the Philippine national men’s basketball squad since signing a professional contract with the Adelaide Tigers in Australia.

His Australian pro team also expressed their support in whatever Sotto will do especially his services to the national team.

However, sources said that Sotto might not be with the team in their FIBA Clark bubble quest scheduled from June 16-20 because the Filipino hooper will still have to observe quarantine protocols that are expected to end on June 14.

The lack of time will mean that Sotto will only be available for the upcoming Olympics Qualifying Tournament that will be held in Serbia.

Gilas will need Sotto’s height and length at the post against Serbia and the Dominican Republic in Group B of the tourney.