Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone announced after the first day of the national team's practice that young big men Kai Sotto and Quentin Millora-Brown will not be playing in window 2 of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
“Kai and QMB have chosen not to play in this window,” Cone said in a short response to the Manila Times, following the first day of practice for the second window on Monday at the Upper Deck in Ortigas, Pasig City.
Sotto just returned from over a year of inactivity since tearing an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) while playing in the Japan B.League.
The 7-foot-3 Sotto has played seven games for the Koshigaya Alphas since returning from the knee injury, averaging 11.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists as well as 1.3 blocks per game.
On the other hand, the 6-foot-10 Millora-Brown has played eight games since recently joining the Chiba Jets, averaging 2.5 points and 2.6 rebounds in over 14 minutes of action per game.
Cone said that other members of Gilas Pilipinas playing overseas will start flying in this week to join the training camp.
“Dwight (Ramos) will be in practice tomorrow (Tuesday), AJ (Edu) the day after that. Carl (Tamayo) and KQ (Kevin Quiambao) will come in later immediately after playing their last games in Korea,” Cone added.
With Sotto and QMB out for the second window, Cone will now have to rely on a pair of 6-foot-10 centers, June Mar Fajardo, AJ Edu to man the paint.
Help might come from Converge slotman Justine Baltazar, who was added to the pool and joined Monday’s practice squad.
The 6-foor-8 Baltazar is a mobile big man who could bring youthful energy, rebounding and inside scoring if ever he makes the final cut.
The Philippines will face New Zealand on Feb. 26 and Australia on March 1, with both games to be played at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Other PBA players who showed up on the first day of practice include Chris Newsome, Troy Rosario, Juan Gomez De Liano, RJ Abarrientos and Calvin Oftana, as well as Justin Brownlee, Fajardo and CJ Perez.