GILAS Pilipinas coach Tim Cone is grateful to Kai Sotto for playing for the national team in the fourth window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Cone said Sotto rescued Gilas in the two important games against Jordan and Iran after starting the second round of the qualifiers on the back of four straight losses.
“He is the difference maker. Without him joining us, I don’t think we will get these two games. I don’t think we even get close,” Cone said.
Gilas defeated Jordan in overtime, 82-81, with Sotto sealing the victory with a block against Abdullah Olajuwon to cap his 18-point, 14-rebound, two-block performance.
Sotto had 13 points and 16 rebounds to help Gilas complete the sweep of the window with a 67-56 win over Iran.
“He is the one that takes us over the top. He is the one that makes everybody better on both sides of the floor - defensively and offensively. We’re just tickled pink that he’s chosen to join us this time,” Cone said.
Sotto’s two games over the weekend were his first with Gilas since playing in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers back in November 2024.
Sotto’s comeback was perfect timing as Gilas were left without naturalized player Justin Brownlee due to nagging injuries.
“It was an amazing thing, and especially (without) Justin, we had our import in this guy,” Cone said, pointing to Sotto who accompanied him during the postgame press conference.
“This guy was our import. He certainly played like an import. So, thank you Kai for coming and doing the work that you did,” Cone said.
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