OVER a week since young big man Kai Sotto has returned to action in the Japan B.League, Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone is taking a more conservative approach following reports that the shot-blocking, 7-foot-3 Filipino won’t be available in the second window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers in Manila.
A report made recently by Spin.ph said, “Sotto will unlikely join Gilas in its upcoming big games against New Zealand and world basketball power Australia,” slated to be played on February 26 and March 1, respectively, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“I think it’s important to remember that Kai has just recently returned from injury and to playing after a year,” Cone told The Manila Times.
“At this point, we will take what he can give us and play the long game with him. We don’t want to assume or pre-empt anything with him until we have had more conversations with him and his handlers,” he added.
Just like Sotto’s squad, Koshigaya Alphas, the American mentor also “considers the long-term health” of the 23-year-old Filipino slot man, who averaged 10.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.3 blocks in the six games he has played in Japan.
“We want to make sure we get this right. Obviously, he is crucial to our success in the coming window, but his long-term health is also crucial to our overall program leading up to the World Cup and beyond,” shared Cone, who, in an earlier interview, told The Manila Times that “he’s extremely excited” to see Sotto finally play since recovering from a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) on his knee, which he sustained in January 2025.
The 7-foot-3 Sotto served as Gilas’ anchor with double-double norms of 15.5 points and 12.5 rebounds laced by 3.8 assists, 0.5 steals and 2.3 blocks in four games in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers back in 2024.
The shot-blocking Sotto even had his best game in that stretch, a 19-point, 10-rebound, two-block showing as Gilas beat New Zealand, 93-89, at home for the first time ever in November 2024.
Cone said Gilas will more likely head back to practice by Feb. 16, giving the national squad at least 10 days to prepare before its keenly-awaited match against New Zealand.