AGAINST all odds, Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone is taking his team’s chances against anyone who stands in their path of qualifying for the 2027 FIBA World Cup, with one condition: Kai Sotto returns and is healthy.
Without a doubt, Gilas has been all heart during their international tournament campaigns, and they will continue to embrace such an attitude in the coming years under Cone’s leadership.
The men’s basketball national team recently announced their World Cup opponents. They are set to face a formidable roster consisting of Oceania titans from Australia, New Zealand, and Guam.
Despite the challenges that the Philippine squad faces, Cone does not appear to be afraid. However, he has been realistic enough to recognize that the 7-foot-3 Sotto’s presence is critical for the not-so-tall Gilas.
Control What You Can
Cone has been a very hopeful yet practical tactician during his time as head coach of Gilas Pilipinas. Knowing this, the most successful PBA coach does not want to be concerned with how the lot was drawn.
The tactician has an “it is what it is” mindset, realizing that Gilas must focus on things they can control, such as performing at their best, rather than worrying about who they will face in the future.
“I just don’t make a big deal about it. We had no control over (it),” Cone said, talking to the media for the first time about the World Cup qualifiers draw held in Doha, Qatar last Tuesday.
“If we had lost a game here or there and that would have affected the draw, then maybe we could be talking or have some regret. But bottomline is we don’t have any control over that. We deal with who we have,” he added.
Cone even revealed that he didn’t wait for the draw before going to sleep, admitting that he just found out the result the morning after via Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Al S. Panlilio.
“I didn’t stay out to find out. What happens, happens. It’s not like l’m trying to win the lottery and see if I can win the lottery,” Cone said.
“I just truly believe that you control things that you can control, and right now, the thing that is in our control is trying to get back together and prepare,” he went on to say.
Man In The Paint
Aside from that, a little faith may be beneficial, as they want to have Sotto back in the mix before the qualifiers begin. This is due to the ACL injury he received in January while playing in the Japan B.League.
The 22-year-old big man has returned to the Philippines and is currently undergoing extensive rehabilitation in the hopes of rejoining the national team by the November window of the FIBA Asia Qualifiers.
“I’ll say it; with Kai, we can beat anybody. We’ve proven that,” Cone confidently claims. “We’ve played the No. 6 team in the world in their house and beat them.”
“We can beat anybody if we get Kai out there back, and we’re hoping we get Kai back at some point during that time,” he went on to explain.
Slowly But Surely
Meanwhile, Sotto, who attended a Sunday PBA game at Ynares Center II, told Spin.ph that there is no definite time frame for his return and that he is now working on his recovery.
“Siyempre, malungkot lagi kapag hindi ka makakapaglaro,” Sotto told the media in a brief interview. “Three months, magfo-four months pa lang ako since surgery. Nagre-rehab lang ako.”
Nonetheless, an ACL injury requires nearly a year to fully recover. It would be preferable if Sotto and the rest of Gilas Pilipinas took their time and did not rush the big man’s comeback.
