COLUMN: A big Kai of relief for Gilas Pilipinas

CHICAGO - Pushed to the edge of insomnia for two consecutive days, Filipino basketball fans went to bed last night knowing that Gilas Pilipinas had barged into the semifinals of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Despite the happy news, the anxiety caused by the hospital trip Kai Sotto took to address a potential injury must have led to a lot of twisting and turning under the sheets.

Today, they'll wake up with a bit of good news and a big Kai of relief.

Following a battery of tests, a source told me "x-rays and ultrasound taken on the ribs of Kai Sotto all turned out negative."

After a collision with Joe Thomasson at the 6:42 mark of the second quarter of the game versus Georgia, Sotto dropped to the floor where all 250 lbs of Georgian Goga Bitadze fell on him.

READ: Kai Sotto taken to hospital to have rib injury checked

While there's some "soreness and discomfort," the 22-year-old talented tower is ok and positive energy is flowing as it pertains to his availability in Saturday night's knockout battle against Brazil.

MEDICAL OPINION.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has yet to release an official health update, which may take time given the sensitivity of the issue.

To understand what injury - if any - Sotto may have sustained, I asked the professional opinion of Bernard Condevaux, the former physical therapist of the NBA's Detroit Pistons.

Condeveaux, who is also a three-time member of the US Olympic cycling medical team, clarified that examining and talking to the Filipino wunderkind would have allowed him to give the best diagnosis.

Based on his watching of the video of Kai's mishap, though, this is what Bernard opined:

"Could be a rib subluxation or a chondral strain. Neither should show on x-ray or ultrasound. Rib subluxation is more of a movement restriction."

I probed for more clarity.

"Both hurt, neither is severe, but if the rib is restricted and not mobilized back to proper motion, he'll struggle because certain movements will jar him. Strain can be alleviated a bit with tape, compression and analgesics," he added.

CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC.

It could have been far worse. Condevaux observed that the labrum could have been compromised based on how Sotto fell. The hip, where Thomasson lunged at, could have also been hurt.

Condevaux, a huge Manny Pacquiao fan who once gave the ring icon a customized Pistons jersey at the Wild Card Gym in 2021, explained the factors that will allow Kai to be effective if he suits up vs. Brazil.

"Depends on the treatment and response. With no fracture, likely can play, 80 to 90 percent effective is a safe bet. Truly depends on his response the next day," he said.

PHOTO: FIBA

Coach Tim Cone needs him out there to make the triangle offense sharper, crisper. His teammates need him on the court to protect the rim, inhale rebounds, and just be a two-way presence.

That's been the story of Kai Sotto in this OQT.

Here's praying he plays against Brazil. And here's hoping he plays his best.