Kai Sotto is set to arrive Tuesday in Manila to finally join the Gilas Pilipinas build-up for the third and final window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers this February.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio said the 18-year-old will arrive either in the afternoon or evening along with his father Ervin.
"He boarded the plane yesterday (Monday). He's arriving today (Tuesday) in Manila. His departure was delayed, so I hope he didn't miss his connecting flight. But as of the moment, I know he's arriving, if not this afternoon, early this evening," Panlilio bared during the virtual Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) forum.
Sotto will have to quarantine for five to seven days and clear a swab test before being able to join the rest of the team's practices at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
"He's ready to join the bubble after he clears quarantine," said Panlilio. "I think after five or seven days, they will test him and then if he's negative, he's allowed to enter the bubble. So maybe he'll be practicing about a week for a week before the team departs."
The 7'3" Sotto had earlier committed to join Gilas in its final three games against South Korea and Indonesia from Feb. 18 to 22. The window will now be held in Doha, Qatar after the SBP relinquished hosting rights due to the travel ban imposed by the Philippine government.
As a result of his commitment, Sotto could possibly miss all of Team Ignite's bubble games for the 2021 G League Season in Florida.
Panlilio said Sotto's arrival is a welcome development, but the federation president urged fans and pundits to "take it easy" on setting expectations for the young center in Gilas' games in the coming window.
"He'll be a great addition. He's improved a lot for sure, and I've gotten that word, but he's also just 18 years old. So we can't put too much pressure on him," Panlilio said. "He's the future of Philippine basketball, for sure, but he's also developing as a player, as a person.
"Let's take it easy on him, let's not put too much pressure on him. He's already pressured enough for sure," Panlilio continued. "I think he's pressuring himself to do well. He wants to do well. All of us want him to do well. But let's just support him in his journey. This window is not a measurement of where Kai Sotto will be or is. But I see a big and bright and big future for Kai."