KAI Sotto gave Gilas Pilipinas the much-needed shot in the arm after his decision to play for the fourth window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers in August.
Sotto will be playing in his first set of games in the World Cup 2027 qualifiers, and will be in action for Gilas Pilipinas for the first time since November 24, 2024 when he had 12 points, 15 rebounds, and two blocks in a FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers game.
The 7-foot-3 Sotto said he decided to join Gilas Pilipinas for this coming window as he is fully healthy for the first time since he had a spate of injuries including an ACL injury in early 2025 while playing in the Japan B.League.
READ: Gilas Pilipinas going all-Filipino in coming FIBA WC Qualifiers
“Nasaktuhan lang din na fully-ready na ako,” the 24-year-old Sotto said on Monday during a press conference ahead of a pair of games in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Kaya din naman ako hindi nakapaglaro nung previous years kasi na-injured ako. Sakto tapos na ‘yung season ko. Offseason ngayon and wala akong ginagawa,” Sotto added.
Sotto also said the upcoming retirement of June Mar Fajardo from international play was also a reason why he decided to play for the coming games between Jordan and Iran.
“Kinausap kami ni Coach Tim at ng management. Nalaman ko na babalik si Cjay (Perez), na last window na ni Kuya June (June Mar Fajardo). Nagkatagpo-tagpo na rin. Suwerte lang na magkakasama kami ngayon para harapin itong opportunity na ‘to,” Sotto said.
The announcement of Sotto agreeing to play for Gilas Pilipinas excite head coach Tim Cone, who said that he is a lot better of a coach with the big man on the floor.
“No doubt he’s a game-changer for us,” Cone said.
Sotto’s return also comes with Gilas Pilipinas needing wins in this August window as they enter the games against Jordan and Iran with a 2-4 win-loss mark.
“Malaking bagay para sa player na magtiwala ‘yung coach sa kanya,” Sotto said. “Nagpapasalamat ako kay Coach Tim na malaki ang tiwala niya sa akin. Lagi siyang grateful na makakasama ako sa team. Sobrang grateful ko rin na maging coach siya. Simula bata ako, nakakasama ko na tatay ko (Ervin Sotto) sa mga Alaska practices niya. May idea na ako kung paano mag-coach si Coach Tim," he continued.
“Dream come true na rin na dati napapanood ko lang sila, ngayon coach ko na si Coach Tim. Happy ako nakabalik na ako."
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