Gilas awaits Kai Sotto’s status for crucial home games

For Gilas Pilipinas, Kai Sotto has long been more than just a centerpiece — he has been a matchup problem, a safety net, and, in Tim Cone’s own words, a luxury.

Now, that luxury may not be available.

As the Philippines gears up for a critical FIBA World Cup Qualifiers window at Mall of Asia Arena, uncertainty surrounds Sotto’s participation in home games against New Zealand on February 26 and Australia on March 1. Fresh off an ACL recovery and a recent ankle scare in his return to action, the 7-foot-3 anchor’s health remains the biggest question hovering over Gilas’ preparations.

“Too early to tell at this point,” Cone told the Inquirer when asked if Sotto’s potential absence could impact the team’s buildup.

Originally, this window was supposed to mark Sotto’s full-circle return to the national squad after missing most of 2025 due to the knee injury he sustained while playing for the Koshigaya Alphas in Japan’s B.League. Instead, Gilas may once again find itself recalibrating without its towering presence.

The timing couldn’t be more delicate.

The Philippines is coming off dominant wins over Guam in the first window, but the level of competition now rises sharply. New Zealand and Australia are not only regional heavyweights — they are teams that handed Gilas painful defeats in last year’s FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah. The Tall Blacks outclassed the Filipinos in group play, while the Boomers dismantled them in the quarterfinals.

Sotto was instrumental the last time Gilas tasted victory over New Zealand. On November 21, 2024, he delivered 19 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks in a historic 93-89 win — the Philippines’ first-ever triumph over the Tall Blacks in a FIBA-sanctioned match. 

Across four Asia Cup Qualifiers games, he averaged 15.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists, emerging as one of the team’s top offensive options behind Justin Brownlee and Dwight Ramos.

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An absolute force

Kai Sotto (19 PTS | 10 REB | 7 AST | 2 BLK) was EVERYWHERE in a historic Gilas Pilipinas win over New Zealand #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/DVEtZn4Pzf

— FIBA Asia Cup (@FIBAAsiaCup) November 21, 2024

With Kai Sotto’s availability uncertain, Gilas Pilipinas prepares for crucial home games against New Zealand and Australia, as Tim Cone vows the team’s winning mindset remains unchanged.

Removing that production leaves a noticeable void — particularly against physically imposing squads like New Zealand and Australia.

Still, Cone is careful not to frame Sotto’s situation as a crisis.

“We are so much better if he is healthy and can join us,” said Cone. “But we are ready to play and win without him, if necessary.”

The message is clear: the system must hold, with or without its tallest pillar.

Cone has also emphasized patience. Rushing Sotto back, especially after major knee surgery, is not part of the long-term plan.

“Hopefully, getting Kai back and reintegrating him back into the lineup will be our most pressing goal,” Cone said, as quoted in a news article posted on the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas website.

In the meantime, Gilas prepares for its toughest home stand yet — one that could shape its qualification path and redefine its identity. With Sotto, the team gains length, rim protection, and offensive versatility. Without him, it leans heavier on chemistry, execution, and collective resilience.

Either way, the challenge remains the same: defend home court against Oceania’s best.

And prove that Gilas is more than just one towering advantage.

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