Coach Tim Cone has always said that having Kai Sotto gives Gilas Pilipinas enough belief in being among the best, not just within the Asian region.

“I just think that Kai gives us an opportunity to compete with anybody in the world,” Cone said before the Fiba Asia Cup began. “Well, maybe not the Dream Team (United States). But at least I feel that we can compete with anybody in the world, and certainly in Asia with Kai.

“[But] with Kai out, it poses a lot of problems for us,” added Cone that time.

And as Gilas Pilipinas navigates the Fiba Asia Cup without its marquee big man, many observers have been grappling with “what-ifs” about Sotto, who is still recovering from an ACL injury he sustained while playing in Japan’s B.League last January. How much of Gilas Pilipinas’ fate would have been changed had Sotto been available for the Filipinos?

At press time, Gilas was playing to stay around a little longer, playing host Saudi Arabia for a place in the quarterfinals, where it would set up a duel against powerhouse Australia. But a loss wraps up a tournament that has seen plenty of problems for the team and tested the patience of fans back home.

If Gilas goes down in defeat, it will put its focus on the first window of the 2027 Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers in November, with Cone hoping to have the Las Pinas City native in full strength and back in action.

But that will depend on the progress of his recovery.

“His team (Koshigaya Alphas) is hoping that he’ll be back in time for October,” Cone said. “And if he’s back in October, maybe he’ll be available in time for the World Cup Qualifiers.

“But you don’t want to mess around with an ACL injury and whatever time he needs, we’re certainly gonna give him,” he added.

Mixed reviews

Gilas is grouped with Guam, Australia and, once again, New Zealand, the same opponent Sotto faced the last time he was available for national team duty.

Sotto dominated that contest for 19 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks as Gilas beat New Zealand for the first time ever, 93-89, at Mall of Asia Arena.

Cone has relied heavily on AJ Edu and June Mar Fajardo down low during the start of the tournament, resulting in mixed reviews.

Edu has been the most relied upon by Cone with his rebounding and ability to block shots, while Fajardo’s been on-and-off and is usually placed on the bench during crucial moments when Gilas goes to a smaller lineup.

Veteran Japeth Aguilar, another big man on the Gilas 12, has been rarely used by Cone. INQ