Romwel Anzures

Photo by Ryan Franco Verano, ABS-CBN News Digital Intern.

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787557043323att.HTfGyHaVEMpijw9Guzay51ARM2lyGIionaMsvRLKUEc.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."/>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.MANILA — Kai Sotto is set to reinforce Gilas Pilipinas as it enters a crucial stretch in its campaign in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, and the 7-foot-3 star is grateful for the challenge.</div><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/17/fiba-game-changer-kai-sotto-set-to-make-gilas-return-says-tim-cone-2250">READ: ‘Game-changer’ Kai Sotto set to make Gilas return, says Tim Cone</a></div>“Swerte lang na magkasama-sama kaming harapin ‘tong opportunity na ‘to,” said Sotto during the team’s press conference on Monday at the Mall of Asia Arena.Set to face Jordan on August 28 and Iran on the 30th, the Philippines is hoping to secure a top-four spot in Group E as it currently sits in fifth place with only two wins in six matches.To add to Gilas’ woes, naturalized veteran Justin Brownlee is also expected to miss this window as he continues to recover from lower leg injuries.Fortunately for the national squad, Sotto has already healed from the torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee, putting him in a prime position to help the team recover after it logged only four wins in a total of 13 games without him.“Sakto lang din na fully healthy na ako,” he said. “Kaya naman din ako hindi nakapaglaro nung previous years dahil na-injure ako. Sakto, offseason ngayon at wala na akong ginagawa. Kinausap din ako nila coach Tim at ng management, kaya nagkatagpo-tagpo na rin.”From January 2025 until last month, Sotto missed time with Gilas due to his recovery and other personal concerns, but the Las Piñas native expressed gratitude to his longtime teammate AJ Edu for helping him deal with the setback.“Sobrang laking challenge nung na-injure ako, pero sobrang thankful ako kay God na ginabayan niya ako, at sa mga taong tumulong sa akin,” he said. “Isa na dun si AJ. Isa siya sa mga lagi kong nilalapitan nung na-injure ako dahil napagdaanan niya na rin yun.”Just like during their Gilas Youth days, Sotto and Edu are now expected to man the paint once more as they face crucial tests in the upcoming window.And while Sotto acknowledges the weight of these challenges, he also sees them as the best chance to rediscover the form that once helped Gilas beat the likes of top teams Latvia and New Zealand.“Medyo mabigat yung pressure, pero yun yung pressure na kailangan namin,” he said. “Basta sama-sama lang kami at magtulungan kami, makukuha namin yung gusto namin.“

Kai Sotto is set to reinforce Gilas Pilipinas as it enters a crucial stretch in its campaign in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, and the 7-foot-3 star is grateful for the challenge.

Kai Sotto is set to reinforce Gilas Pilipinas as it enters a crucial stretch in its campaign in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, and the 7-foot-3 star is grateful for the challenge.

FIBA: Now fully healthy, Kai Sotto thrilled to help Gilas rediscover form

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FIBA: Now fully healthy, Kai Sotto thrilled to help Gilas rediscover form

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 24, 2026 03:48 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

FIBA

2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers

Gilas Pilipinas

Tim Cone

FIBA Basketball

Kai Sotto

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