Nelson Morales

FIBA: Cone praises chemistry of Sotto, Fajardo in Gilas

Article (news)

John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:958px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1732266838158Gilas Pilipinas 11222024.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Gilas Pilipinas big men June Mar Fajardo (L) and Kai Sotto during their FIBA Asia Cup qualifier against New Zealand, November 21, 2024 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Gilas Pilipinas big men June Mar Fajardo (L) and Kai Sotto during their FIBA Asia Cup qualifier against New Zealand, November 21, 2024 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone enjoys watching Kai Sotto and June Mar Fajardo play together, and so do we.</p><p>The Filipino big men stood their ground against the Tall Blacks, helping Gilas clinch its first win against New Zealand in eight years, 93-89, during their 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifier matchup on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.</p><p>The 7-foot-3 Sotto played another spectacular game, listing an almost triple-double of 19 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, while the 6-foot-11 Fajardo added six points.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/11/21/kai-sotto-downplays-stellar-performance-for-gilas-vs-nz-2300"><strong>READ: &#x27;Great team win&#x27;: Kai Sotto downplays stellar outing for Gilas against New Zealand</strong></a></div><p>&quot;Honestly, I just love playing June Mar [Fajardo] and Kai [Sotto] together. It&#x27;s so much fun to watch, seeing those guys play. They have great synergy, between the two of them,&quot; said Cone during the postgame press conference.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2024/11/21/fueled-by-loss-in-pba-finals-brownlee-leads-gilas-to-another-historic-win-2339"><strong>READ: FIBA: Fueled by loss in PBA Finals, Brownlee leads Gilas to another historic win</strong></a></div><p>&quot;And they look for each other, they complement each other. I think that the two of them work really, really hard to be successful together,&quot; he added.</p><p>&quot;You don&#x27;t see very many two power inside guys playing the game together anymore these days. It&#x27;s really fun to watch them play.&quot;</p><p>More than the stats, they helped space out the floor and defended well against the Tall Blacks, handling their physicality which Cone was very well aware of.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2024/11/21/fiba-sotto-brownlee-power-gilas-to-statement-win-over-new-zealand-2120"><strong>READ: FIBA: Sotto, Brownlee power Gilas to statement win over New Zealand</strong></a></div><p>&quot;They [New Zealand players] are really good. They are incredibly physical, I think that was the number one thing we had to battle through,&quot; said the national team mentor. &quot;Credit to Kai and June Mar, battling through their bigs who were really physical with us.&quot;</p><p>Sotto, Fajardo, and company will see action again on Sunday to face Hong Kong for a chance to secure a spot in the Asia Cup proper. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. at the same Pasay City venue.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABQulNvj6K4xVn41&amp;activation=click&amp;vip_mode=playing&amp;vip_position=bottom-right"></script>

<p>Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone enjoys watching Kai Sotto and June Mar Fajardo play together, and so do we.</p>

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone enjoys watching Kai Sotto and June Mar Fajardo play together, and so do we.