MANILA, Philippines — Pinuri ni Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone ang magandang work ethic ni Kai Sotto na nagreresulta sa matikas na laro nito sa katatapos na FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
Galing si Sotto sa protocols matapos magtamo ng minor injury sa Japan B.League.
“I just love the commitment that Kai is showing, coming in everyday and everytime, coming in early,” ani Cone.
Matapos mabigyan ng clearance, agad na sumabak sa ensayo si Sotto upang mabilis itong makasabay sa mga teammates nito.
“They are going to two-a-day practices, poor guy had to go through two-a-day practices coming off a concussion. And still battled through it all. And everybody is doing the same,” ani Cone.
Nagtala si Sotto ng 19 puntos, 10 boards at pitong assists sa panalo ng Gilas Pilipinas sa New Zealand, 93-89.
Ngunit ayaw ni Sotto na kunin ang credit.
Ayon sa 7-foot-3 Pinoy cager, nagawa lamang niya ito sa tulong ng kanyang teammates.
“I think it’s just a great team win. Everybody contributed and I’m just very happy that we got the win. Really worked hard in terms of preparation and coming into this game,” ani Sotto.
Umaasa si Cone na magtutuloy ang magandang laro ng Gilas Pilipinas sa mga susunod na labang haharapin nito.