Kai Sotto denies Jordan as Gilas Pilipinas gets World Cup bid back on track

RETURN. Kai Sotto in action for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers. FIBA Kai Sotto caps a prolific performance with the win-sealing block as Gilas Pilipinas noses out Jordan in overtime to start the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Gilas Pilipinas secured a narrow overtime victory against Jordan, 82-81, in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, marking a return to winning form with Kai Sotto back on the team. Sotto had a standout performance with 18 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 crucial blocks, helping the Philippines end a four-game losing streak and improve their record to 3-4 in Group E. Key contributions came from Kevin Quiambao and CJ Perez, who scored 14 points each, with Perez notably scoring 14 of his points in the fourth quarter and overtime. This is AI-generated. Read the article for full context. Report any errors. MANILA, Philippines – It probably is not coincidence that Gilas Pilipinas rediscovered its winning ways just when Kai Sotto came back. Sotto capped a prolific performance with the win-sealing block as the Philippines nosed out Jordan in overtime, 82-81, to start the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, August 28. Back in national team duty for the first time in two years, the 7-foot-3 Sotto produced a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds to go with 2 blocks, the last of which allowed the Nationals to snap a four-game skid and improve their record to 3-4 in Group E. A five-second inbound violation by Scottie Thompson with less than 10 seconds left kept the comeback door ajar for Jordan, but Abdullah Olajuwon saw his potential game-winning shot layup swatted away by Sotto. Heroes were aplenty for Gilas Pilipinas as Kevin Quiambao and CJ Perez hit big baskets down the stretch, rising to the occasion in the absence of injured naturalized star Justin Brownlee. Perez scattered 14 of his 16 points in the fourth and overtime periods and also tallied 4 rebounds and 2 steals, while Quiambao finished with 14 points, including a gutsy three-pointer that gave the Filipinos an 82-79 lead with 13 seconds remaining. Dwight Ramos also supplied 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists in the win, which saw the Philippines fight back from a 17-point deficit following a red-hot start by Jordan fueled by former NBA player Jalen Harris. Harris went 3-of-3 from beyond the arc in the opening quarter as Jordan mounted a 28-14 lead before being neutralized the rest of the way. The leading scorer of the Asian Qualifiers with an average of 27.0 points going into the game, Harris got limited to 19 points on 6-of-22 shooting. Up next for the Philippines is Iran on Sunday, August 30, at the same venue. The Scores Philippines 82 – Sotto 18, Perez 16, Quiambao 14, Ramos 14, Edu 9, Tamayo 8, Fajardo 2, Thompson 1, Gomez de Liaño 0, Newsome 0, Baltazar 0. Jordan 81 – Ibrahim 22, Harris 19, Olajuwon 17, Saleh 5, Al Dwairi 4, Alshami 4, Alhamarsheh 4, Abu Hawwas 3, Kilani 2, Salman 1, Shaher 0. Quarters: 14-28, 39-44, 54-58, 72-72 (reg.), 82-81 (OT). – Rappler.com How does this make you feel? Loading