-MD.jpg)
Gilas Pilipinas big man Kai Sotto in action. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/file
MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas' Justin Brownlee is sending his prayers to his injured teammate in the national team, Kai Sotto.
Sotto and the Koshigaya Alphas announced earlier on Wednesday that the 7-foot-3 center sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during their game against the Sea Horses Mikawa last Sunday, where they were eventually handed a 77-79 loss.
Brownlee on Wednesday expressed hopefulness in Sotto's comeback as he acknowledged that the big man's injury is a "tough blow" for Gilas.
"That's definitely a tough blow for the team, and personally for Kai. I can only imagine what he's going through, but definitely sending my prayers to him," he said.
READ: Gilas stint prepped Kai Sotto for upcoming B.League season
"Hopefully he can keep his spirits up," Brownlee added. "Just get well soon, get through this injury--I hope his surgery goes well and the rehab process and everything's go well."
This also meant that the men's national basketball squad will be playing sans Sotto in the upcoming window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in February.
Still, the naturalized player sees a "great future" ahead of Sotto despite this.
READ: 'Might be the darkest day of my career': Kai Sotto suffers torn ACL
READ: Cone sticking with Aguilar, Amos as Gilas waits for update on Sotto’s injury scare
"I still see a great future and what he can bring to the table. You know, just another setback for a major comeback," Brownlee concluded.
Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone, meanwhile, courteously refused to accept questions regarding Sotto and the injury's implications to the national team following Ginebra's loss to NorthPort in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup.
READ: PBA: NorthPort tightens grip on top spot by overcoming Ginebra
Cone instead raved about the Batang Pier's current strengths as they tightened their grip on top of the standings, claiming their seventh win in eight games.