“No Kai Sotto?…No problem,” - Cone

SINCE Kai Sotto injured his ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) many, supporters and fanatics of the 7-foot 3 and NBA hopeful, thought it’s going tough and rough sailing for Gilas Pilipinas’ upcoming International competitions lined up this year.

But, time and again, national head mentor Tim Cone has never been bothered, not one bit even as series of injuries had plunged Gilas, nor shaken by setbacks. For him, its just part of the many challenges his wards’ to deal with.

Sotto is vital to the team’s offense and defense, His absence is regarded by Cone as an opportunity to test the team’s chemistry as he previously mention in countless interview, “No Kai Sotto, No problem,”

The American, with Filipino heart, mentor knew this kind of eventuality will come, and he knew time and injury will test the national’s cohesiveness, toughness and physicality in the build up to face tremendous pressure and superior odds in taking on a formidable opponent, who were reportedly eking and can’t wait to get their their hands on our boys.

Cone can always find a remedy or a solution whenever a problem arises like in the last Olympic Qualifying round, wherein Gilas played Georgia without Sotto, who sustained a contusion, by motivating his talented and skilled players to step up and take on the said challenges head-on. And true enough, Gilas shocked and ousted the world No.28 by via FIBA quotient point system. Though the 90-92.

Now that the FIBA Asia Cup third qualifying window is up on the horizon, wherein Gilas-Pilipinas faces two common foes ,they had beaten during the last two windows, in their homecourts. Chinese-Taipei and sour-graping New Zealand on Feb. 20 and on Feb. 23, respectively.

Cone knew very well, the Taiwanese and the “Crying Kiwis”, undergone to an extensive built up and restructuring their respective line-ups. According to FIBA reports, Chinese-Taipei, which loss to Gilas twice. will be parading with two naturalized players in Brandon Gilbeck (6-7) and Mohammad Al Bachair Gadiaga (6-2)….How the hell FIBA allowed it? For some reason? We don’t know.

While the Kiwis went on major re-bump, beinging in seven new players, comprising the strong 12-man line-up. as reported in the New Zealand sports website. Led by Australia’ s NBL( National Basketball League) veterans, Jordan Ngatal (6-5), Max Darling :(6-5), Reuben Te Rangi (6-6),Tohl Smith-Milner (6-9), Jackson Ball (6-3),Taylor Britt (6-2), Kaia Isaac (6-1) and Tamatoa Isaac (6-2).

All these hype and build ups, it didn’t even raise Cone’s eyebrow, though Gilas will missed its great rim protector. For sure he can always count on two of his able replacements in A.J Edu (6-10) and Jaime Malonzo (6-7) to atp up. Both fully recovered from their respective injuries. Edu and Malonzo pits in Cone’s playbook that will compliment the 6-10 Junmar Fajardo in the middle.

Further boosting Gilas’s competitiveness and defense, the PBA multi-titled coach, had included the six-foot-eight Troy Rosario, who is returning with the nationals since last played in the Hangzhou Asian Games two years ago, adding muscle in the defensive end.

Before Gilas-Pilpinas takes on Chinese-Taipei and New Zealand, Cone left no stones unturn, as the nationals will join a pocket tournament in Qatar as part of their preparation and one of the countries invited in the 2nd Doha International Cup, which will run from Feb.14 to 17. While there, the nationals will test their cohesiveness and toughness against Lebanon, Egypt and host Qatar.