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, January 8, that the 7-foot-3 center sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during their game against the Sea Horses Mikawa last Sunday, January 5, where they were eventually handed a 77-79 loss.

Brownlee 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.

“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 [going] 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.

“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 for the national team following the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings’ loss to the NorthPort Batang Pier in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.

Cone instead raved about Batang Pier’s current strengths as they tightened their grip on the top of the standings, claiming their seventh win in eight games. (ABS-CBN News)