MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone said it is too early to determine the impact of Kai Sotto’s possible absence as the national team prepares for home matches against New Zealand and Australia in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers later this month.
“Too early to tell at this point,” Cone told the Inquirer when asked whether Sotto’s potential absence could affect the team’s buildup.
Reports indicated that Sotto may skip the upcoming qualification window after recently returning from an ACL injury and spraining his ankle in his first game back. He last played for Gilas in 2024 during the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers and missed the 2025 campaign after sustaining the injury while playing for the Koshigaya Alphas in Japan’s B.League.
Cone said the team performs better when Sotto is available but added that Gilas is prepared for any scenario.
“We are so much better if he is healthy and can join us,” Cone said. “But we are ready to play and win without him, if necessary.”
Gilas will host New Zealand on Feb. 26 before facing Australia on March 1 at the Mall of Asia Arena. The Philippines is coming off two wins over Guam in the first qualification window.
New Zealand defeated Gilas in the group stage of last year’s FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, while Australia beat the Philippines in the quarterfinals.
Cone also said he is not rushing Sotto’s return to the national team.
“Hopefully, getting Kai back and reintegrating him back into the lineup will be our most pressing goal,” Cone said, as quoted on the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas website.
