Having no Kai Sotto to attract defensive attention at the bottom, creates a special type of problem for Gilas Pilipinas. —Fiba.basketball
Coach Tim cone has always said that having Kai Sotto gives Gilas Pilipinas to believe to be among the best, not only in the Asian region.
“I just think that Kai gives us the opportunity to compete with anyone in the world,” said CONE before the start of the Fiba Asia Cup. “Well, maybe not the dream team (United States). But at least, I think we can compete with anyone in the world, and certainly in Asia with Kai.
“(But) with Kai, it poses a lot of problems for us,” added CONE at that time.
And while Gilas Pilipinas sails in the FIBA Asia Cup without his renowned great man, many observers have taken with “SI” about Sotto, who is still recovering from an LCA injury he suffered by playing B. League of Japan last January. What part of the fate of Gilas Pilipinas would have been changed if Sotto was available for the Philippins?
At the time of the press, Gilas played to stay a little longer, playing the host of Saudi Arabia for a place in the quarterfinals, where he would set up a duel against Powerhouse Australia. But a defeat concludes a tournament that has seen many problems for the team and tested the patience of fans at home.
If Gilas falls into defeat, he will focus on the first window of Asian qualifications of the FIBA 2027 World Cup in November, CONE hoping to have the native of Las Pinas City in full strength and back in action.
But it will depend on the progression of its recovery.
“His team (Koshigaya Alphas) hopes that he will be back in time for October,” said CONE. “And if he is back in October, he may be available in time for the World Cup qualifications.
“But you don’t want to play with an LCA injury and whatever it needs, we will certainly give it,” he added.
Mixed criticism
Gilas is grouped with Guam, Australia and, once again, New Zealand, the same opponent Sotto has faced the last time that he was available for the national team.
Sotto dominated this competition for 19 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks while Gilas beat New Zealand for the first time, 93-89, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
CONE has relied strongly on AJ Edu and June Mar Fajardo at the start of the tournament, which led to mixed criticism.
Edu was the most invoked by CONE with its rebound and its ability to block the shots, while Fajardo was on the move and is generally placed on the bench during the crucial moments when Gilas goes to a smaller range.
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Veteran Japeth Aguilar, another great man from Gilas 12, has rarely been used by the cone. Inq
