Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

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/17878435612951787557043323att.HTfGyHaVEMpijw9Guzay51ARM2lyGIionaMsvRLKUEc.webp" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><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></div><p>MANILA — Kai Sotto is set to return for national team duty as Gilas Pilipinas enters a crucial stretch in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.</p><p>With Gilas on a must-win scenario, Sotto will provide a much-needed height against Jordan and Iran on Friday and Sunday, respectively.</p><p>Linking up with the 7-foot-3 Sotto are big men, AJ Edu, as well as Justin Baltazar, Troy Rosario, and veteran June Mar Fajardo who hinted on the possibility of lacing up his shoes at the international level.</p><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: FIBA: Now fully healthy, Kai Sotto thrilled to help Gilas rediscover form<br/></strong></a></div><p>Joining them in the two home matches are Juan Gomez de Liano, Chris Newsome, CJ Perez, Kevin Quiambao, Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo, and Scottie Thompson.</p><p>RJ Abarrientos and Justin Arana, meanwhile, did not make the final cut.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/25/june-mar-fajardo-pondering-nat-l-team-retirement-after-13-years-with-gilas-0013"><strong>READ: June Mar Fajardo pondering nat&#x27;l team retirement after 13 years with Gilas<br/></strong></a></div><p>“Swerte lang na magkasama-sama kaming harapin ‘tong opportunity na ‘to,” said Sotto during the team’s press conference on Monday, August 24, at the Mall of Asia Arena.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/24/fiba-cone-expects-sotto-to-cause-problems-for-jordan-iran-2052"><strong>READ: FIBA: Cone expects Sotto to ‘cause problems’ for Jordan, Iran<br/></strong></a></div><p>Gilas will be going all-Filipino for the games against Jordan and Iran, as the injured Justin Brownlee continues to recuperate.</p><p>“So we&#x27;ll be going without Justin. And that&#x27;s a big adjustment,” said coach Tim Cone, tasked to supervise the home squad.</p>

<p>Kai Sotto is set to return for national team duty as Gilas Pilipinas enters a crucial stretch in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.</p>

Kai Sotto is set to return for national team duty as Gilas Pilipinas enters a crucial stretch in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Kai Sotto returns to Gilas duty as PH faces Jordan, Iran in World Cup qualifiers

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Kai Sotto returns to Gilas duty as PH faces Jordan, Iran in World Cup qualifiers

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 28, 2026 12:02 AM PHT

Read More:

basketball

Gilas Pilipinas

Kai Sotto

FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers

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