Gilas Pilipinas center Kai Sotto in action. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA, Philippines – Despite putting up massive numbers, big man Kai Sotto downplayed his stellar performance for Gilas Pilipinas against New Zealand on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The star center stressed that despite his valuable contributions of 19 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, beating the Tall Blacks in the second window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers was a "great team win."
Behind his heroics, especially in the third quarter, finally, the New Zealand curse of the Philippines on the FIBA stage has ended after Gilas outlasted the visiting Tall Blacks, 93-89.
"Para sa 'kin, really good, really great team win, offensively and defensively," the 7-foot-3 Sotto said. "May mga lapses kami nung first half, pero nung second half nag-pick up kami. I think everybody did a good job contributing sa panalo ng team."
Sotto gave credit to the team's preparations with Tim Cone at the helm, asserting that what Gilas enjoys right now are the fruits of their foundation since the February window.
Sotto has proven that he could contribute to Gilas, dropping an 18-10 output versus Chinese Taipei and had a 13-15 stat line against Hong Kong earlier this year.
READ: FIBA: Sotto, Brownlee power Gilas to statement win over New Zealand
"Nagsimula siya sa preparation namin simula window no'ng February, simula nung na-build 'yung team, talagang tuloy-tuloy lang kami," the former Ateneo Blue Eaglet said.
The win didn't come easy as the Tall Blacks had a three party during the 40-minute game, exploding from beyond the arc with 18 made-triples from 35 attempts.
"Kaya manalo, matalo, titingnan lang namin 'yung bigger picture and happy kami na nanalo kami ngayon kasi pinaghirapan talaga namin 'tong game na 'to."
Gilas Pilipinas goes for a 4-0 win-loss card in Group B against Hong Kong on Sunday at the same Pasay venue. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m.
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