In the ever-shifting landscape of the Philippines' national basketball program -- where rosters change like the tides and chemistry is often a fleeting concept -- finding stability has been its greatest challenge. For years, Gilas Pilipinas has juggled lofty expectations with the harsh realities of limited preparation and the struggles to form a cohesive unit from its pool of talent.
Amidst the chaos, Kai Sotto has been a constant fixture with Gilas since 2021. From his debut as a teenager in the FIBA U-16 Asian Championships to becoming a vital cog in the seniors team's system, Sotto has steadily grown into a Gilas mainstay. That's why the team got a boon last week when Sotto was cleared to appear in the upcoming Asia Cup qualifiers against New Zealand and Hong Kong.
Things started to shift for Gilas after Tim Cone took over as head coach in 2023. While Sotto and fellow B.League imports did not to participate in the team that won gold at 2023 Asian Games -- the seeds were already planted.
It has also translated to success. Gilas has been perfect in the first window of the 2025 Asia Cup qualifiers against Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong. But more impressive were the games they played in during last summer's Olympic Qualifying Tournament, where Gilas faced some of the world's toughest basketball powerhouses.
In a pressure-packed environment, the team managed to pull off a stunning upset against Latvia and held their own against formidable opponents like Georgia and Brazil. These games were not just battles for Olympic contention -- they were crucibles that tested the team's chemistry, maturity, and resolve.
"I think mas gaganda pa 'yung chemistry ng team dahil from the start kami-kami 'yung magkakasama. Kahit less than 10 games pa lang 'yung nilalaro namin together with the group, feel ko 'yung samahan namin mas maganda na dahil yung values nung games na nalaro namin recently lalo nung OQT mabibigat," Sotto said in an interview with ESPN.
The 22-year-old Sotto has shown promise in these games. Through two games in the Asia Cup qualifiers, he has averaged a double-double of 15.5 points and 12.5 rebounds, proving his dominance on both ends of the court. While his stint in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) was cut short by an injury, Sotto's stellar 18-point, eight-rebound performance against Latvia served as a reminder of his impact and potential to gut it out against some of the world's best players.
This recent success can be attributed to how Sotto's skill set has seamlessly meshed with Cone's triangle offense. The system, known for its emphasis on movement, decision-making, and creating opportunities for all five players on the court, has allowed Sotto to showcase his abilities.
"I think 'yung difference ng triangle is lahat pwede makakuha ng bola at kailangan lahat gumalaw off the ball. Kapag hindi mo sa ulo 'yung triangle, lilitaw ka kasi napaka-organized ng triangle," Sotto said.
And rather than him being relegated into a specific role, Cone's system has impacted all facets of Sotto's development because he has not been forced to be something he is not.
"Kaya bilang big man, ineemphasize ni coach Tim 'yung touches sa amin, lalo na nandito si June Mar [Fajardo], Japeth [Aguilar], si JB [Brownlee] na naglalaro ng 4, and ako. Binibigyan talaga ng importansya 'yung mga big man dito. Most of the systems kasi ngayong time, puro pick-and-roll na lang, drop pass, and pick-and-pop or 'yung mas pina-simple na lang. Pero sa triangle, may chance ipakita 'yung skill set ko at mga kaya kong gawin offensively," Sotto said.
With the presence of multiple big men, Sotto's job has become significantly easier, as he no longer bears the burden of anchoring the middle by himself. Initially, there were concerns about whether Gilas could effectively play with two bigs simultaneously, especially in today's basketball landscape, which places a premium on spacing and speed.
With Gilas Pilipinas boasting plenty of big men, Kai Sotto shared more on the dynamics between them on court.
Yet, those doubts were quickly silenced when Sotto embraced the role of a stretch 4, seamlessly throwing high-low passes to Fajardo inside the paint. The synergy between the two has been remarkable, with Sotto's versatility allowing him to operate both on the perimeter and in the post, while Fajardo thrives in his natural position. Defensively, their pairing has been equally impressive, as they've complemented each other's strengths to form a formidable frontline capable of protecting the rim and controlling the boards
"Kahit dati pa, alam 'ko na ako lagi pinakamalaki sa team, pero sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam kapag may kasabay pa akong isang big man kas mas nakapagtutulungan kami," Sotto said.
Heading into this window, Sotto will come with a lot of momentum after his superb start this season in Japan's B.League. Playing for a new team with Koshigaya Alphas, he has posted numbers of 12.1 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game on 54 TS%. For statistical context on how good of a rim protector Sotto has been so far, drives that he contest are falling at just 40%, as per InStat. In short, his defense has been felt.
"I think I've done better siguro compared sa last year, pero 'di pa ako satisfied and nakukulangan pa 'ko sa production ko sa past 12 to 13 games. Kaya malaking bagay 'yung window na 'to para sa akin because kahit 'yon ang nararamdaman ko, mataas confidence ko na I can do more," Sotto mentioned.
Overall, Sotto believes that this version of Gilas is more ready, owing to the team's improved chemistry, shared experiences, and a structured system under Cone. The continuity within the roster, combined with the lessons learned from high-stakes tournaments like the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, has prepared them to compete at a higher level.
"Hindi kasi katulad noong dati na parang underdogs tayo, ngayon iba na 'yung standards ng team namin at kung ano 'yung ceiling namin. Basta kailangan namin maging accountable sa mga sarili namin," Sotto said.
Kai Sotto believes being older and wiser has been a key factor behind the improvement he's shown in Japan's B.League this season.
He also understands that these wins matter more in the long run, as Gilas aims to make it back to the biggest stages of international basketball, such as the FIBA World Cup or even the Olympics. Each victory, no matter how small, builds the team's confidence and strengthens their foundation.
These games serve as stepping stones, not just for immediate success but for establishing a program that can compete consistently against the world's best. For Sotto, it's about laying the groundwork for a future where Gilas isn't just participating on the global stage but contending as a legitimate force.
"For our four-year program na hinanda ni coach Tim, I hope it's only going to be better through time. Manalo [or] matalo, sana mas maganda 'yung kalalabasan [ng games] namin - each day sa practice or sa game pa 'yan - sana makita namin kung paano kami nagiimprove as individuals and as a team as well," Sotto on how he sees the plan for Gilas will pan out.