MANILA, Philippines -- The stellar play of the Gilas Pilipinas' other big men led to the benching of Kai Sotto in the game against the Dominican Republic, Gilas head coach Chot Reyes said.
Needing big bodies to try and contain NBA All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, Sotto just played for a total of 73 seconds in the game.
He tallied no points, a block and two fouls.Reyes, after the games, told reporters that the excellent games of June Mar Fajardo and AJ Edu, and Sotto picking up two quick fouls in the first quarter against Towns, ultimately led to the 7-foot-3 big man’s benching.
“Kai picked up two quick fouls, so we had to get him out right away. We could not get him back in because [Edu] is playing a great game. He was playing really, really well and if we get him in, then the other guy I have to sit is a guy named June Mar Fajardo,” the coach said.
Edu played more than 27 minutes in the game, as he mainly defended Towns.
Fajardo, meanwhile, scored 16 points on 5/5 shooting.
“I guess, a lot of people are going to wonder why, but between sitting AJ and June Mar, there was just no opportunity,” Reyes added.
Fajardo and Sotto were the first men off the bench, going inside the game with 4:04 in the first quarter.Sotto then blocked a shot but fouled Towns twice, the second resulting in an and-one play by the NBA All-Star.
He was quickly taken off the game.Reyes added that Sotto will be playing more in the next games against Angola and Italy.
Gilas will be facing Angola on Sunday, 8 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
They will take on Italy on Tuesday at the same venue.