With their backs against the wall and their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 FIBA World Cup looking bleak after the first round, Gilas Pilipinas not only found a window—they found the door and kicked it down.
The Philippines stunned Jordan in overtime, 82-81, on Friday before pulling off another upset against Iran, 68-56, on Sunday to complete a perfect fourth window in the Asian Qualifiers and get back on track toward a fourth straight World Cup appearance.
The victory over Iran was particularly significant, as it marked Gilas’ first FIBA win over Team Melli since the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, when the Philippines prevailed, 87-73. Those remain the only two victories Gilas has recorded against Iran in FIBA competition.
And according to head coach Tim Cone, neither win would have happened without Kai Sotto.
“This guy to my left, he’s the difference-maker. Without him joining us, I don’t think we get these two games. I don’t think we’ll even get close,” said Cone during the postgame press conference.
“Especially without Justin Brownlee, we had our import in this guy. This guy was our import. He played certainly like an import, so thank you, Kai, for coming and doing the work you did.”
Sotto made his return to the national team after a 22-month absence. His last stint came in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, where he averaged 15.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game.
He picked up right where he left off — and then some.
The 7-foot-3 center averaged 15.5 points, 15.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 block in the fourth window, helping Gilas improve to 4-4 in Pool E. The Philippines remains in fifth place but is now just one game behind third- and fourth-placed Iran and Jordan.
Sotto’s return to Gilas also comes at an important crossroads in his career.
Over the past few months, Sotto and his team have explored the possibility of him playing one-and-done in the NCAA Division I, according to sources closely monitoring the situation.
However, there are currently hurdles surrounding his eligibility. His substantial salary during his time in the B.League could potentially prevent him from regaining his amateur status, which would make him ineligible to play NCAA basketball, the sources said.
The eligibility issue remains unresolved as Sotto and his camp weigh their options for his next career move.
For now, Sotto is a free agent, with his future still up in the air. But if Cone has his way, the 7-foot-3 center should continue pursuing his long-held NBA dream.
That belief was evident in a lighter moment caught on the FIBA YouTube livestream. Before the postgame press conference officially began, Cone was heard reminiscing to Sotto about former Iranian star Hamed Haddadi’s dominance in Asian basketball.
“When they got Haddadi, they were just dominating Asia,” Cone told Sotto.
The 7-foot-3 big man quickly fired back: “You got me now, coach.”
“I know. You can dominate. I love to have you, man,” Cone responded.
Cone’s belief in Sotto extended beyond his potential to dominate Asia, too.
With the FIBA YouTube livestream already on air, the veteran coach was caught encouraging Sotto to continue chasing his NBA dream.
“I still think you need to get into the league. Find a way. I’ll talk to Miami,” said Cone, who is good friends with Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra.
“I’ll see what I can do. Would you be willing?”
Sotto simply nodded.
Cone still believes Sotto can become the first full-blooded Filipino to make it to the NBA. And after his dominant return to Gilas, Sotto has given his coach plenty of reason to keep believing.
