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/1788112846727IMG_1804.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 — With Kai Sotto once again showing his dominance in FIBA Asia, Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone believes the 7-foot-3 star should keep chasing his NBA dream.</div><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/30/fiba-cone-sees-difference-maker-kai-sotto-as-key-to-gilas-ceiling-2332">READ: Cone sees ‘difference-maker’ Kai Sotto as key to Gilas’ ceiling</a></div>The Las Piñas native was the Philippines’ driving force in sweeping <a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/30/fiba-all-filipino-gilas-outlasts-iran-to-sweep-homestand-2145">Jordan and Iran</a> to open its second-round campaign in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, averaging 15.5 points, 15.0 rebounds, three assists, and a block across the two-game homestand.For Cone, Sotto’s dominance brought to mind former Iran main man Hamed Haddadi, who likewise dominated in Asia while carving out an NBA career.“You remember Haddadi? When they had Haddadi, they were just dominating Asia,” Cone asked Sotto before Sunday evening’s postgame press conference officially started.Sotto quipped in the affirmative, but Cone was serious about his confidence in his star big man.“You can dominate,” Cone told Sotto. “I love to have you, man.”Cone has always expressed his utmost confidence in Sotto, with the Barangay Ginebra mentor even labeling him as Gilas’ “import” as they competed without injured naturalized player Justin Brownlee.“Especially without Justin, we had our import in this guy,” said Cone. “Kai is 7’2, 7’3, but he sees the floor and reads the floor well. He’s out there playing by thinking about the game. Not only here in Asia, but also internationally.”And with Cone’s confidence in the 24-year-old reaching new heights, the former Miami Heat assistant coach in the 2022 NBA Summer League said he would look into what he could do to help Sotto get another shot at the NBA.“I still think you need to get into the league,” he told Sotto. “Find a way. I’ll talk to Miami.”“I’ll see what I can do. Would you be willing?” Cone added, before Sotto nodded.Currently a free agent, Sotto’s most recent professional action came in the 2025-26 Japan B.LEAGUE season, where he averaged 13.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 0.5 steals in 28 games after returning from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear.Sotto is currently hoping to return to the amateur ranks through the US NCAA, although there is still no finality on whether or how that move can officially and legally push through.Sotto previously suited up for the Orlando Magic’s Summer League team in 2023, averaging 3.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and an assist in two games before moving on to Japan.

With Kai Sotto once again showing his dominance in FIBA Asia, Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone believes the 7-foot-3 star should keep chasing his NBA dream.

With Kai Sotto once again showing his dominance in FIBA Asia, Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone believes the 7-foot-3 star should keep chasing his NBA dream.

FIBA: Kai to the Heat? Cone urges Sotto to keep chasing NBA dream

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FIBA: Kai to the Heat? Cone urges Sotto to keep chasing NBA dream

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 31, 2026 02:10 AM PHT

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2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers

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