KAI Sotto marked his return to Gilas Pilipinas with a double-double on Friday night, but the block that sealed the win in the final seconds of overtime will leave an indelible mark for Filipino fans at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The 7-foot-3 Sotto sent back a potential game-winning lay-up by Abdullah Olajuwon to preserve the hosts' 82-81 overtime win against a hot-starting Jordan side in their FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers game.
READ Gilas rides clutch KQ three in gritty OT win over Jordan
The 24-year-old's heroics completed a comeback from an 18-point deficit that snapped the Nationals’ four-game losing streak, and kept them very much in the hunt to return to the World Cup for the fourth consecutive time.
Friday was Sotto’s first game in a Gilas uniform in nearly two years, and he was superb, finishing with 18 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocks.
Sotto, however, was quick to deflect the credit, praising teammates including Kevin Quiambao and Cjay Perez, who teamed up for the game-winning shot with 11.7 seconds left in overtime to break a 79-79 tie.
“Para sa akin, sobrang saya ko na lahat nag-contribute,” Sotto said at the mixed zone. “Slow start pero nakita niyo naman na hinabol namin possession by possession. Sobrang proud ako sa team namin ngayon.”
Sotto admitted feeling nerves in his first Gilas game since the November 2024 window, part of the qualification phase of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025. In between, Sotto suffered injuries including an ACL tear during his stint in the Japan B.League.
The early parts of the game saw Sotto missing jumpers and free throws. But when Sotto found his feet, the 7-foot-3 center was able to calm himself and play his usual game.
“Before the game, medyo marami akong iniisip. Naghalo na ‘yung parang excitement and ‘yung pag-iisip lang na ang tagal kong hindi naglaro sa national team. Alam ko na mabigat ‘yung pressure na dinadala ko.
"Sobrang happy ko na nalabas ko, na-translate ko sa court ‘yung matagal na hinihintay kong makapaglaro sa national team,” Sotto said.
Sotto will look to continue his stellar play for Gilas on Sunday when the hosts face Iran at the Mall of Asia Arena.
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