GILAS Pilipinas didn’t have its major weapon around when it met New Zealand at the Mall of Asia Arena during the second window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian qualifiers Thursday night.
Young big man Kai Sotto wasn’t in the national team lineup as the Tall Blacks exorcised the ghost of the past behind a close 69-66 win to score their breakthrough in the qualifiers for the 2027 world meet after two losses.
READ Kai Sotto's camp says no Gilas commitment for July window
The result had the visitors raising their head-to-head record against the home team at 7-1 overall over a 10-year span.
That lone Gilas victory, incidentally, featured the 7-foot-3 Sotto churning out an all-around game of 19 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and two shot blocks in a 93-89 upset during the Asia Cup qualifiers also at the MOA Arena.
The case wasn’t lost on New Zealand coach Judd Flavell.
“He was here in 2024 when he played,” said the 52-year-old Flavell about Sotto. “I remember Kai Sotto, he’s a handful in rebounds.”
Just a few months removed from that historic win, Sotto went down with an ACL injury while playing in the Japan B.League, which kept him out of action for about a year.
Sotto has since recovered from the injury, but opted to skip the window as he continues to strengthen his knee.
Either way, it’s no guarantee Gilas could have repeated over the Tall Blacks in their rematch at the same playing venue with Sotto in uniform, although Flavell admitted it could have made a lot of difference.
“We know Kai Sotto is a big part of the puzzle for the Philippines. He gives them another dynamic,” said the New Zealand mentor.
“He’s very mobile, he gives them another dynamic when he plays. He does absolutely help them.”
Flavell singled out rebounding as the one where the Tall Blacks benefited in the absence of Sotto as they won the battle of the boards, 53-49.
Sam Mennenga topped the boards for New Zealand with 14, while AJ Edu was the leading rebounder for Gilas with 11.
Even in the absence of Sotto, Flavell noted the quality bigs Gilas has in Edu, June Mar Fajardo, and Quentin Millora-Brown, who played New Zealand for the first time.
“They are a handful collectively. They got 15 offensive rebounds, and I think we pride ourselves in rebounding and I know they do as well,” he added.
The Tall Blacks will play Gilas anew five months from now in the third and final window before the second round commences in August.
“Next time we’re gonna see the Philippines is in July and we know that’s going to be another big challenge,” said Flavell.
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