Gilas saw its magnificent run in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament ended by world no. 12 Brazil.
Not a few fans pointed out that Kai Sotto's absence made a world of difference in Gilas Pilipinas’ 71-60 loss to Brazil in their knockout semifinal battle in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament at the Arena Riga on Saturday, July 6.
No less than Gilas coach Tim Cone echoed their sentiment.
“We don’t want to make excuses, but losing Kai was big for us. It took away our depth in the frontline,” said Cone during the post-game press conference.
Sotto suffered a rib injury after Joe Thomasson inadvertently undercut him on the way up before Orlando Magic Goga Bitadze landed on him with still 6:24 remaining in the second period of the Nationals' semis-clinching 96-94 loss to Georgia in the group stage on July 4.
He did not play the rest of the match. The following day, July 5, the 7-foot-2 center, who had been tremendous on both ends of the floor in the ongoing OQT, told One Sports he was still in pain though he joined the team’s practice.
"Nilalagyan ng patch tapos kanina para akong mummy, ang daming tape para lang maka-practice ako," Sotto told One Sports.
"Sobrang hirap. Kanina tina-try ko, hindi ako maka-explode. Kahit pagtapak 'pag tumatakbo, masakit. So, hopefully, magkaroon ng miracle bukas, mawala lahat ng sakit para makapaglaro ako."
[RELATED STORY: 'Hindi ako maka-explode': Kai Sotto hopes for 'miracle' as he looks to suit up for Gilas against Brazil in FIBA OQT semis]
Without him, seven-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo and team captain Japeth Aguilar had to play longer than usual.
“[Kai’s absence] forced June Mar Fajardo to have to overplay minutes. That kind mushroomed it right there,” said Cone.
[ALSO READ: Chot Reyes takes on ‘head cheerleader’ role in supporting Tim Cone, Gilas Pilipinas' FIBA OQT journey]
But the seasoned mentor was also quick to acknowledge that Brazil simply played the way a 12th-ranked team would.
The green-and-gold went to former NBA vets Marcelinho Huertas and Bruno Caboclo in the fourth period to put away the Nationals and march on to the Finals against either Cameroon or host country Latvia.
[ALSO READ: Win remains elusive for Gilas Youth after bowing to China in penultimate match in FIBA U17 World Cup]
“Bottomline is we just were not just good enough tonight. We've got to be better,” Cone said.
“We’re trying to tell ourselves almost is not good enough… We've got to find a way to get over the hump and get there. Tonight, we didn’t do that.”