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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider 'Difference-maker' Sotto played like an import for Gilas, says Cone

'Difference-maker' Sotto played like an import for Gilas, says Cone

Published Sep 1, 2026 09:01 am

At A Glance

  • Much has already been said about the impact of Kai Sotto to the national team but head coach Tim Cone once again showered his 7-foot-3 big man with praises following Gilas Pilipinas' sweep of the fourth window of the qualifiers.

Much has already been said about the impact of Kai Sotto to the national team but head coach Tim Cone once again showered his 7-foot-3 big man with praises following Gilas Pilipinas’ sweep of the fourth window of the qualifiers.

Cone stressed that the decision of Sotto to suit up for the Gilas in this window was pivotal in pumping life to the Nationals’ hopes of making it back to the World Cup.

According to the veteran mentor, the 24-year-old big man was simply the difference maker who elevates Gilas’ level to a notch higher.

“He is the difference maker. Without him joining us I don't think we can get these two games. I don't think we can get close,” Cone said of Sotto, who averaged 15.5 points, 15.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 blocks through the two games in the window.

“He’s the one who takes us to the top. He’s the one who makes everybody better on the floor —offensively and defensively. 

It was Sotto’s first pair of games for Gilas since recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury which sidelined him from national team duty. He last played for the Nationals in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers when Gilas took down New Zealand for the first time.

Sotto rejoining the team couldn’t be more timely as well, especially with Justin Brownlee sitting out the fourth window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.

“We’re just tickled pink that he’s chosen to join us this time, especially without Justin. We had our import in this guy. He certainly played like an import so thank you Kai for coming and doing the work that you did,” he added.

In a hot mic moment before the start of the press conference, Cone even stated that he believed Sotto actually deserves to be in the NBA.

The veteran mentor even opened up the possibility of him reaching out to the Miami Heat organization — having close ties – with current head coach Erik Spoelstra to try and help Sotto make it to the big league.

“I still think you need to get into the league (NBA). Find a way. I’ll talk to Miami and see what I can do,” said Cone.

Related Tags

Gilas Pilipinas Kai Sotto Miami Heat FIBA Tim Cone
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