PASAY CITY (Philippines) - After nearly two years away from the Gilas Pilipinas program, Kai Sotto could hardly have made a stronger return to FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers action.
The 24-year-old center immediately re-established himself as a force in the paint in the Philippines' two Window 4 games, averaging 15.5 points, 15.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 21.0 efficiency across two crucial wins over Jordan and Iran.
With the Philippines now sitting at 4-4 in the Asian Qualifiers, one intriguing question needs to be answered: was this Sotto’s most dominant Asian Qualifiers window yet?
Window 4 of the World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers
Sotto began his comeback with a statement performance against Jordan, producing 18 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and two blocks for a 20 efficiency rating. More importantly, he was at the heart of an overtime thriller that saw Gilas Pilipinas escape with an 82-81 victory. His ability to control the glass and provide a scoring outlet inside proved especially valuable as the game went down to the wire.
Of course, who can forget his game-winning block to finish OT?
Two days later, Sotto backed it up against Iran with perhaps an even more imposing performance on the boards. He finished with 13 points, 16 rebounds and three assists, recording a 22 efficiency rating as the Philippines rallied from another early deficit and eventually pulled away for a 68-56 victory.
It was precisely the kind of all-around interior impact the Philippines needed as they secured their second win of the window and moved to 4-4 in the Qualifiers.
And that is what makes this particular window so intriguing when compared with Sotto’s previous World Cup Qualifiers appearances.
Window 4 of the World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers
Game(s) | PTS | FG | FT | OREB | DREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | +/- | EFF |
vs LBN | 10 | 5/11 | 0/2 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -4 | 10 |
vs KSA | 16 | 4/10 | 8/11 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 22 | 22 |
During the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers, he also produced several strong performances. In Window 4, he had 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks against Lebanon before exploding for 16 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks against Saudi Arabia.
However, that game against Lebanon was a loss.
Window 5 of the World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers
Game(s) | PTS | FG | FT | OREB | DREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | +/- | EFF |
vs JOR | 16 | 5/8 | 4/5 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 21 |
vs KSA | 11 | 5/7 | 1/3 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 14 | 23 |
In Window 5, he followed that with 16 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks against Jordan, then posted 11 points, nine rebounds, two assists, one steal and five blocks against Saudi Arabia. His best efficiency mark from those four games was 23 against the Saudis.
Yet this latest window stands out in one major category: rebounding dominance. Sotto recorded double-digit boards in his two comeback appearances - the first time across a window - comfortably exceeding his previous window averages while maintaining an efficiency level comparable to his best Qualifiers stretch.
And he did it immediately after a lengthy absence from the national team.
Perhaps that is the most encouraging part for Gilas. Sotto returned and immediately looked like a difference-maker.
So the big question, after having swept Jordan and Iran in the Philippines during Window 4 - was this Sotto's most dominant window yet?
FIBA