Sans ACL-hit Kai Sotto, Gilas Pilipinas players are all accounted for final window of FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers

AS CRUSHING the absence of ACL-hit Kai Sotto is, Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone sees a lot to look forward to when the Nationals reconvene next month.

For one, Mr. Cone is thrilled to finally have big man AJ Edu on board for the Feb. 14 to 16 pocket tournament in Qatar and the succeeding final window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers on the road against Chinese Taipei (Feb. 20) and New Zealand (Feb. 23) after missing the entire 2024 campaign due to knee issues.

Then there’s athletic wing Jamie Malonzo, who’s returning to the fold after being sidelined by calf injury last April.