Romwel Anzures

Article (news)

Tim Cone and and Kai Sotto

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787574531702att.KHuJp49vlHM0VDzrRhRa9unemldrzv-RIVCong2YZm8.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone during the team’s press conference on Monday, August 24, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. Photo by Ryan Franco Verano, ABS-CBN News Digital Intern."/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone during the team’s press conference on Monday, August 24, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. <em>Photo by Ryan Franco Verano, ABS-CBN News Digital Intern.</em></span></span></span>MANILA — Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone has long emphasized Kai Sotto’s importance to the team, and he is delighted to finally have the 7-foot-3 center back after a lengthy injury layoff.</div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/24/fiba-now-fully-healthy-kai-sotto-thrilled-to-help-gilas-rediscover-form-1548"><strong>READ: Now fully healthy, Kai Sotto thrilled to help Gilas rediscover form</strong></a></div><p>“We’re kind of building around him,” Cone said during Gilas’ press conference on Monday at the Mall of Asia Arena. “He’s just a great addition and we’re just really happy to have him back.”</p><p>Sotto missed a total of 13 games since tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in January 2025, with Gilas only winning four times in that span.</p><p>But while Cone acknowledged that it will take time for Sotto to readjust to the squad, the Barangay Ginebra mentor expressed confidence that his return will help the team move closer to reaching its potential.</p><p>“I don’t want to say he’s new to the team, but he hasn’t been with us for a couple of years so guys are still adjusting to his level of play,” he said. “We hope that that just continues over the next few days.”</p><p>Sotto’s return also comes at a timely juncture for the fifth-ranked, Justin Brownlee-less Gilas as it continues its hunt for a top-four spot in Group E, with Cone believing the 24-year-old is just what they need to overcome Jordan and Iran in the upcoming window.</p><p>“We think he’s going to cause problems for both teams, and he’s going to make those around him better,” said Cone.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Dream come true</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787574351604IMG_7996.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Gilas Pilipinas center Kai Sotto during the team’s press conference on Monday, August 24, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. Photo by Ryan Franco Verano, ABS-CBN News Digital Intern."/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Gilas Pilipinas center Kai Sotto during the team’s press conference on Monday, August 24, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. <em>Photo by Ryan Franco Verano, ABS-CBN News Digital Intern.</em></span></span></span></strong>Meanwhile, Sotto was ecstatic upon hearing Cone’s praises, especially given his high regard for the veteran coach dating back to the playing days of his father, Ervin Sotto, with Alaska Milk in the PBA.</div><p>“Kahit sinong player, malaking bagay na magtiwala yung coach sa kanya,” he said. “Sobrang grateful ako na maging coach siya. Simula bata ako, nakakasama ako sa tatay ko sa mga practices nila sa Alaska. So ngayon, dream come true na rin.”</p><p>However, Sotto was non-committal when asked about the succeeding windows after the August assignments.</p><p>“After this window, hindi ko pa alam. At kung alam ko rin, ‘di ko rin sasabihin sa inyo,” quipped the Las Piñas native.</p><p>Sotto and crew will take on Jordan on August 28 and Iran on August 30 later this week.</p>

<p>Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone has long emphasized Kai Sotto’s importance to the team, and he is delighted to finally have the 7-foot-3 center back after a lengthy injury layoff.</p>

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone has long emphasized Kai Sotto’s importance to the team, and he is delighted to finally have the 7-foot-3 center back after a lengthy injury layoff.

FIBA: Cone expects Sotto to ‘cause problems’ for Jordan, Iran

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FIBA: Cone expects Sotto to ‘cause problems’ for Jordan, Iran

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 24, 2026 08:52 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

FIBA

2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers

Gilas Pilipinas

Tim Cone

FIBA Basketball

Kai Sotto

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