Gilas Pilipinas’ Kai Sotto in the Fiba World Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—After Gilas Pilipinas’ loss to South Sudan, 87-68, Kai Sotto kept it real and said he had a harder time playing against Angola in Group A of the 2023 Fiba World Cup.
Sotto, who had eight points, five rebounds and three blocks in the loss to the Sudanese, said facing the Angolans was harder due to their strength–an area the lanky kid has been lacking for some time now.
“I think I had more problems against Angola cause I think they were stronger,” he said at Araneta Coliseum on Thursday.
Of course, Gilas lost to Angola as well, 80-70, but the Ateneo product came away with eight markers and six boards in that defeat.
The 7-foot-2 big, however, also gave the Sudanese their due after giving him a hard fight in the paint.
“South Sudan is lengthier, they’re longer and I think they’re more athletic but they’re a good team, good all-around team,” he said. “From inside to the three-point area, they’re really efficient and they did a good job. They deserve the win tonight.”
Like the other Gilas members, Sotto decided to focus on the next game instead of sulking a 0-4 record.
The Philippines’ last assignment is rival China in a 2018 Asian Games rematch.
“We can’t afford the runs that we gave up against South Sudan especially if they get the momentum, we’ll have a hard time. For us, we have to be consistent for the whole 40 minutes.”
China and Gilas clash on Saturday at the same venue.
