Gilas Pilipinas middle Kai Sotto through the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers recreation in opposition to Hong Kong at Mall of Asia Area. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web
A lot has been stated concerning the potential of this present version of Gilas Pilipinas, however no one in this system has drawn a lot reward as younger huge man Kai Sotto.
Three video games into the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers, Sotto has emerged as probably the most environment friendly huge man within the meet, accounting for a 28.7 effectivity score, solely second to Justin Brownlee’s tournament-best common of 33.7.
Article continues after this commercial
RESULTS: Gilas Pilipinas vs Hong Kong at Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers
“Man, I’ve been saying, I really feel like he’s ok to play within the NBA,” the do-it-all naturalized ace stated of the 7-foot-3 middle.
“He’s received the peak, he’s received the scale and he’s received the ability. However he’s been bettering a lot. And for me, that’s actually nice to see: A younger participant with a lot potential and seeing him fulfill that,” the Barangay Ginebra resident import stated, shaking his head in admiration.
Article continues after this commercial
Sotto was huge within the pulsating 93-89 win over World No. 22 New Zealand, flirting with a triple-double after placing up a two-way efficiency of 19 factors, 10 rebounds and 7 assists that went with a steal and a pair of blocks.
READ: Kai Sotto flaunts consistency, maturity in newest Gilas stint
Nationwide coach Tim Cone spoke extremely of Sotto shortly after the win. However nothing might eclipse the commendation he gave in reimagining Gilas Pilipinas’ recreation in opposition to Brazil within the semifinal of the Olympic qualifiers again in July—this time with Sotto in motion as an alternative of being on the injured record.
“I believed we might have executed rather a lot higher if this man (pointing to Sotto) hadn’t received harm,” Cone stated. “That (Sotto’s absence) type of put us behind the eight ball.”
Recreation-changer
Gilas Pilipins through the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers recreation in opposition to Hong Kong at Mall of Asia Area. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web
Sotto harm his rib after colliding with Georgia’s Goga Bitadze through the group section, shelving him for the match with the No. 12-ranked Brazilians.
“You possibly can see the impact that Kai has on the sport,” Cone stated.
The 2-time Grand Slam coach stated he’s a fan of the Sotto-June Mar Fajardo pairing down low, including that having two huge males providing various things has given the nationwide staff a recent dimension on offense.
READ: Justin Brownlee all praises for Kai Sotto in Gilas Pilipinas win
“I simply love enjoying June Mar and Kai collectively. I believe it’s a lot enjoyable to look at these guys play, they’ve nice synergy between the 2 of them and so they search for one another and so they complement one another and I believe, that you recognize, the 2 of them work actually, actually laborious to achieve success collectively,” he stated.
“You don’t see very many two power-inside guys enjoying the sport collectively anymore lately. It’s actually enjoyable to look at them play. I actually take pleasure in it.”
Luckily, Gilas and the remainder of this basketball-crazed nation could have an opportunity to see extra of that and extra of what Sotto might turn out to be as he’s nonetheless younger.
Sotto gave one other glimpse to that within the return match with Hong Kong that was being performed at Mall of Asia Area in Pasay Metropolis as of press time.
“He has received an extended option to go, he’s solely in his early 20s,” Brownlee stated of Sotto. “I’m proud of the best way he’s progressing, and I’m excited [about] what the longer term holds for him.”
