EVEN before Tim Cone’s appointment to the Gilas Pilipinas program under Chot Reyes’ time, Kai Sotto has heard a lot of stories about the 25-time PBA champion through his father Ervin.
The elder Sotto played for Cone during his stay at Alaska, and even won a championship during the 2010 Fiesta Conference. Kai was only eight years old at that time when the Aces defeated San Miguel for the championship.
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Now 21, Sotto said he is glad to see Cone at work and up close, this time, as head coach of Gilas Pilipinas, as if his father’s stories are coming to life once again.
“Sobrang dami ko natutunan kay coach Tim kahit dati pa. Dad ko, naging player ni coach Tim. Ang dami niyang storya, really good stories about coach Tim,” said Sotto.
“Ako, na-witness ko siya na player na ako under him. Sobrang dami ko natutunan,” said Sotto.
Cone has started the four-year Gilas program with a short training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in preparation for the first window of the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers where they will be facing Hong Kong on February 22 and Chinese Taipei on February 25.
The Gilas youngster believes that the sentiments of his other teammates are the same in terms of the learnings from Cone.
“I think lahat kami sa short period of time, marami kaming natutunan. Marami kaming i-aapply pagdating sa game,” said Sotto.
Sotto mans Gilas middle
Sotto is expected to take the lead in Gilas’ frontline especially with June Mar Fajardo and AJ Edu out due to injuries. But the Japan B.League import said it will take a collective effort to fill up the center position for the two games.
“Always (ready). I think big props kay Kuya Japeth din for stepping in for that spot. Next man up lang. We are missing two key players. The rest will have to step up. Everybody is ready to step up naman. We have confidence sa big men namin,” said Sotto.
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