TIM CONE admitted that having young big man Kai Sotto would certainly give Gilas Pilipinas a real fighting chance when it plays two road games in the coming third and final window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
The 7-foot-3 Sotto begged off from the final 12, with the Filipino shot blocking big man pursuing his NBA dream once again, starting with the Summer League slated to start some time in July.
“Kai is working on his plan to go to the NBA,” Cone told media men Monday night as the national squad held a media day and open practice for fans at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Sotto, who recently tied the knot with Filipina actress Rere Madrid, and are expecting their first child, concluded his 2025-26 Japan B.League season by averaging 13.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 28 games, managing to stage a successful comeback since recovering from a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) on his knee a year ago.
Cone knows that the 24-year-old Sotto’s NBA dream is always a possibility and they will not stand in the way in the Filipino giant’s lofty basketball pursuit.
“We’re not gonna interfere with that (NBA dream) as well,” stressed the 68-year-old Cone, who just a week back, led Barangay Ginebra to the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup championship after dethroning TNT in an epic seven-game title series.
Of course, Cone felt strongly that Sotto’s size and intimidating presence will always be a valuable asset, as seen by his impact in the Philippine team’s 93-89 shock win against New Zealand during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers on Nov. 22, 2024 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Sotto was a tower of strength for Gilas, flirting with a triple-double after delivering 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists, along with a pair of blocks.
The win famous win ended the Philippines four-game losing streak to New Zealand that began in 2016.
Cone remembers that, and he has no doubt that Sotto, now bulkier, wiser and more experienced, could bring a lot on the table if only he’s available in this coming window.
“If he could be here, I think he’d be here but he’s got other plans trying to go to another path along the NBA,” he explained.
“It’s too bad because Kai would have made an incredible difference (and) really, really give us a chance but we just got to go with the people we have and we expect to put up a good fight with what we have.”
Other than Sotto, 6-foot-10 Quentin Millora-Brown also won’t be available for the coming window since undergoing back surgery recently.
The Philippines team left for Brisbane, Australia on Tuesday to hold its training camp, before playing the Manawatu Jets on June 28, Sunday at the Fly Palmy Arena in the Manawatu-Whanganui Region, New Zealand.
Two days after, Gilas takes on the Franklin Bulls at the Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre, also in New Zealand.
Gilas plays New Zealand on July 3 in Auckland, before leaving shortly and head to Perth where the national side clashes with Australia on July 6.
