Romwel Anzures

Gilas Pilipinas big man Kai Sotto against Iran in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, August 30, 2026, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Photo from FIBA Basketball.

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788102330663IMG_1800.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Gilas Pilipinas big man Kai Sotto against Iran in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, August 30, 2026, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Photo from FIBA Basketball.MANILA — The All-Filipino Gilas Pilipinas made a statement by sweeping its homestand, and it was no coincidence that the Nationals rediscovered their groove upon Kai Sotto’s return.</div>The towering 7-foot-3 anchored the paint on both ends as Gilas swept Jordan and Iran in tightly contested bouts in Group E of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, and for head coach Tim Cone, this was exactly what he expected to see from Sotto.“He’s the difference-maker,” said Cone after their 68-56 win over Iran on Sunday. “Without him joining us, I don’t think we get these two games.”Sotto helped Gilas <a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/30/fiba-all-filipino-gilas-outlasts-iran-to-sweep-homestand-2145">overcome a 13-point deficit against Iran</a> by posting 13 points, 16 rebounds, and three assists, and also previously completed the game-saving block in their 82-81 overtime win over Jordan on Friday.But for Cone, Sotto’s impact on both ends goes beyond the numbers.“He’s the one who takes us over the top, he’s the one who gets guys better on both ends,” stressed Cone of Sotto, who averaged 15.5 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, and a block this window. “I don’t think we even get close without him.”The Barangay Ginebra mentor also added that Sotto is more than just a standout among his fellow big men.“Especially without Justin [Brownlee], we had our import in this guy. Kai is 7’2, 7’3, but he sees the floor and reads the floor well,” he said. “He’s out there playing by thinking about the game. Not only here in Asia, but also internationally.”The 24-year-old, however, maintained that it was their collective approach that helped them defy the odds this window.“We were just pushing each other,” the Las Piñas native said. “We were getting tired, but we just really valued every possession.”But what Sotto did not discount was the conscious effort they made to get extra active, especially on the defensive end.“Medyo slow kami sa defense lalo na nung first half. Pero kami ni AJ [Edu], meron kaming usapan na kapag ako na-late, saluhin mo ako. Kapag ikaw na-late, sasaluhin kita,” he said. “Mas nakumpyansa ako sa depensa, mas nakumpyansa siya sa depensa, and nagkahawa-hawahan na.”Gilas will not return to FIBA action until the November window, when they will face Syria and Iran.If Sotto is available again to suit up, Cone is confident they can sustain this energy moving forward.“You don’t know their availability. But I’ve said this before. If we have our best players, we could compete with anybody,” said Cone.

The All-Filipino Gilas Pilipinas made a statement by sweeping its homestand, and it was no coincidence that the Nationals rediscovered their groove upon Kai Sotto’s return.

The All-Filipino Gilas Pilipinas made a statement by sweeping its homestand, and it was no coincidence that the Nationals rediscovered their groove upon Kai Sotto’s return.

FIBA: Cone sees ‘difference-maker’ Kai Sotto as key to Gilas’ ceiling

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FIBA: Cone sees ‘difference-maker’ Kai Sotto as key to Gilas’ ceiling

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 30, 2026 11:32 PM PHT

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Updated August 31, 2026 02:02 AM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

FIBA

2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers

Gilas Pilipinas

Tim Cone

FIBA Basketball

Kai Sotto

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