KAI Sotto may have been away from Gilas Pilipinas for nearly two years, but according to Tim Cone, the 7-foot-3 big man looked right at home in his return.
Sotto exploded for 18 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks as Gilas Pilipinas escaped Jordan, 82-81, in overtime in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Cone said Sotto’s extended absence was largely due to the ACL injury he suffered after helping Gilas produce major wins in the previous international window.
“Almost two years, yeah. One year from injury, recovering from that ACL,” Cone said.
But despite the lengthy layoff, Sotto quickly showed why Gilas had been waiting for his return.
Cone said what makes Sotto different is not simply his enormous size, but his feel and understanding of the game.
“Yes, he’s 7-foot-3, but his knowledge of the game, his instincts for the game, is like a point guard, really,” Cone said.
The Gilas coach even compared Sotto’s basketball IQ to that of some of the team’s guards.
“It’s like he’s RJ Abarrientos or Juan Gomez de Liaño, because he’s really that smart and that intelligent, and that makes the people around him better.”
Sotto’s impact was felt throughout the game, whether through his passing, screening, rolling or simply the attention he commanded from the Jordan defense.
“Everybody’s better when he’s on the floor,” Cone said.
But while Sotto’s offensive numbers stood out, Cone said his biggest contribution came on the defensive end.
The 7-foot-3 center battled Jordan’s top-class big men and helped limit the penetration of Jalen Harris and Freddy Ibrahim in the second half.
“What was really big tonight was his defense, particularly against Aldridge, who was a really top-class center,” Cone said.
Cone also recalled how Jordan had repeatedly attacked the paint earlier in the game before Sotto became the final obstacle between the visitors and victory.
Olajuwon had been getting to the rim with ease, but when Jordan needed one final basket to steal the game, Sotto was waiting.
“That last play, he tried to get to the rim, and of course, Kai rejected him,” Cone explained.
That block preserved Gilas’ one-point victory and capped an impressive return for Sotto.
After nearly two years away, the towering center did more than simply come back, he immediately reminded everyone why his presence can make everyone around him better. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
