Kai Sotto came through with a solid defensive block in the dying seconds as Gilas Pilipinas escaped with an 82-81 overtime win against Jordan at the start of the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers on Friday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Back in the Philippine team roster for the first time since November 2024, the 7-foot-3 Sotto gave the Falcons fits with his size and vastly improved plays.
Sotto stepped up big in the absence of naturalized player Justin Brownlee after finishing with a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds.
But beyond his expected double-double numbers, it was Sotto’s defensive presence that spelled the difference.
His second block of the night against the driving Abdullah Olajuwon in the dying seconds proved to be the game-clincher, allowing the Philippines not only to end its four-game losing skid in the Asian Qualifiers, but also galvanized its FIBA World Cup hopes.
“We had a slow start in the first quarter but we were able to make the come back by doing it possession by possession,” said Sotto in Filipino after the game.
Heroes were aplenty for the Philippines with CJ Perez, after as scoreless spell in the first half, dropping 14 of his 16 points in regulation play.
The athletic Perez then made the dish-off to Kevin Quiambao, who gamely knocked down the go-ahead triple with 13 seconds left to push Gilas to a 82-79 lead.
The win was a huge confidence booster for Gilas Pilipinas, which trailed by 17 points in the opening quarter after a slow start.
The Philippines improved to 3-4, while dragging Jordan to a three-way tie for second to fourth places with Iran and New Zealand.
Earlier in the day, New Zealand nipped Iran, 93-91, while world power Australia waylaid lowly Syria, 123-64 to stay perfect at 7-0 in Group E.
Gilas Pilipinas returns to action on Sunday and will face Iran in the main game at 8 p.m.
