Geline Salac

FIBA: Kai Sotto proves his Gilas return was worth the wait

Article (news)

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – Kai Sotto came up big when Gilas Pilipinas needed it most, proving his much-awaited return to the national team was worth the wait. The 7-foot-3 suited up for the national men&#x27;s basketball team in their 82-81 overtime win over Jordan on Friday, after two years of being away due an ACL injury.  <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/28/gilas-pilipinas-escapes-jordan-in-ot-to-open-2nd-round-of-world-cup-qualifiers-2239">READ: Gilas Pilipinas escapes Jordan in OT to open 2nd round of World Cup qualifiers</a></div>Amid buzz surrounding his return, Sotto admitted feeling the weight of the expectations. &quot;Before the game, medyo marami akong iniisip. Naghalo na yung excitement, yun lang yung pag-iisip lang na ang tagal ko nang naglaro for the national team,&quot; he told reporters after the game at the Mall of Asia Arena. &quot;Alam ko mabigat yung pressure na dinadala ko. And sobrang happy ako na na-translate ko sa court yung matagal kong hinihintay na makapaglaro sa national team,&quot; Sotto added. When the 24-year-old big man returned, he delivered a performance for the books, highlighted by a massive game-sealing block in overtime.  After the game, Sotto&#x27;s doubts were erased when he delivered a double-double performance 18 points and 11 rebounds.  &quot;Sobrang saya ko na nakapag-contribute. Slow start kami pero nakita niyo na hinabol namin possession by possession. Sobrang proud ako sa team namin ngayon,&quot; Sotto said.  &quot;Yung team mentality namin, laging sinasabi ni coach Tim [Cone] is we have to get that one-point win... Hindi kami nag-give up. Nagtulong-tulungan kami. Lahat nag-contribute,&quot; he said. &quot;Siyempre na-miss ko magsuot ng Philippine jersey, makalaro ulit yung mga teammates, makalaro sa harap ng home crowd, mapanood ng mga pamilya ko at mahal ko sa buhay so sobrang blessed ko ngayon,&quot; he added. Gilas head coach Tim Cone said Sotto&#x27;s return has made a big impact on the team on both ends of the floor. &quot;We&#x27;ve been hoping he could come back to join us at some point. Now he has. And the thing about Kai, yes, he&#x27;s 7-foot-3 but his knowledge of the game, his instincts for the game is like a point guard. Really. It&#x27;s like he&#x27;s RJ Abarrientos or Juan Gomez de Liaño,&quot; he said at the post-game press conference.  &quot;He&#x27;s really that smart and that intelligent. And that makes the people around him better. Everybody&#x27;s better when he&#x27;s on the floor. Whether it&#x27;s passing, screening or rolling, he intentionally grabs. He just makes everybody around him better,&quot; Cone added. Dwight Ramos and Kevin Quiambao likewise emphasized the importance of the presence of Sotto for the national team. &quot;Kai isa siya sa big piece ng team. Yung scouting report sa kanya ng Jordan is to let him shoot so he takes advantage of it. Malaking tulong. Hopefully in the future mas mabuo kami with JB [Justin Brownlee] and Kai,&quot; Quiambao said. &quot;Of course he&#x27;s a big part of the team. He&#x27;s a rim protector obviously, game-winning block right there. So I&#x27;m very happy to have him here,&quot; Ramos added.

Kai Sotto came up big when Gilas Pilipinas needed it most, proving his much-awaited return to the national team was worth the wait.

Kai Sotto came up big when Gilas Pilipinas needed it most, proving his much-awaited return to the national team was worth the wait.