RIGA (Latvia) - Hoop mania was evident in every corner of the Philippines between August and September 2023, as the latest FIBA Basketball World Cup delivered an unprecedented show in Asia. By securing a ticket to this year's Olympic Qualifying Tournament, they filled the endless hours of flying to Riga with sweet dreams.
The Roster
After the end of the historic competition in the country, the Philippines decided to change the leadership on its national team's bench, bringing back Tim Cone. The American head coach, who first moved to the Asian island when he was 9 years old and later at 24, is now an established and legendary figure in the country's basketball landscape.
This is the third time the five-time Philippines Basketball Association (PBA) Coach of the Year has been appointed as head coach of the Philippines national team, and he will now rely on continuity. The vast majority of this summer's expected 12-man roster for the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament has been involved with the national team for years.
It could be the last official tournament played for these colors by the 37-year-old Japeth Aguilar, joined once again by the charismatic big man June Mar Fajardo. Experience will be brought to the table by Chris Newsome and Justin Brownlee, both coming off impressive seasons with their professional clubs.
However, expertise is linked to potential. Kai Sotto is by far the one to watch, as his teammates, coaching staff, and fans across the country expect the 22-year-old to make his presence felt against tough opponents under the rim.
There will also be playing opportunities for the new generation of Philippines basketball. Five players called up are 25 years old or younger, with the 2004-born Mason Amos bringing high hopes. At the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2022, he dominated with 21.2 points per game.
The Question
Is Jordan Clarkson's potential absence going to be a major setback for Gilas?
Everyone remembers the third-quarter 24-point eruption by the Utah Jazz guard at the Araneta Coliseum against China, which gave the Philippines their first win in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Back in Manila, the home fans and Jordan Clarkson were like a united soul. If his absence this summer likely translates into a more spread scoring unit, Tim Cone first needs to lay the foundations of a well-oiled machine to deliver in Latvia
The Hope
The 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga can be the right opportunity for the 22-year-old promising and highly talented center Kai Sotto to finally deliver. Growing up idolizing Kristaps Porzingis - whom he sadly won't face in July due to the Latvian Unicorn's surgery that ruled him out early - Sotto could step up both physically and mentally for the national team.
Coming off two great individual performances in the 2025 Asia Cup Qualifiers against Hong Kong, China and Chinese Taipei, where he averaged 15.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game over the two victories, he has largely been at the center of coach Cone's attention.
"When I watch Kai [Sotto] practice and play, he is just absolutely dominant. There's so little he cannot do. The kid is working. He's doing his job. He's a perfect fit for our system, both offensively and defensively. I think he'll have a chance to really take off with us. I think the sky is the limit", the 25-time PBA champion opened. "How many times are we going to have a 7'2”, 7'3” literally pure Filipino that is skilled and is going to be able to play at this level?"
Kai is going to be a generational talent - Tim Cone
Going up against the three-headed Georgian frontcourt monster composed of Goga Bitadze, Tornike Shengelia, and Sandro Mamukelashvili isn't going to be easy. And neither will be clashing with Latvia's agile frontline. But the occasion to shine is right there for Kai Sotto.
The Fear
Playing at home was one of the reasons that kept the Philippines in contention in almost every group game. Having the support of Gilas fans helped the national heroes stay sharply focused on their encounters, losing only by an average points differential of 7.6 per game
With 1:54 left in the game against the Dominican Republic, in the opener that broke the all-time attendance record in the history of the FIBA Basketball World Cup with 38,115 fans in the stands of the enormous Philippine Arena, they were trailing only 81-79.
With 1:12 minutes to go against Angola, needing to bounce back after losing to Karl-Anthony Towns and his teammates, Kai Sotto reduced the gap to only five points (73-68). The bottom line, despite these two defeats, was the Philippine national team's attitude: never surrender.
It's understandable not to expect the Philippines to enter the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga with a bang in Group A. What could be concerning is if they fail to show the fearless approach they displayed in Manila.
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