Here are the live scores, updates, and results of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers between the Gilas Pilipinas and team South Korea, scheduled on June 16, 2021, at 6:00 PM live from Clark, Pampanga in the Philippines.
No professional basketball players from the PBA, no problem for the current roster of the Gilas Pilipinas as they reign supreme in their bracket with a glittering 3-0 slate in the standings.
Tonight, their skills will be tested by a very much familiar opponent in Asia, the South Korean squad who are also determined to take ownership of the standings’ top spot.
Due to COVID-19 protocols, Kai Sotto missed all of the training as he needed to undergo a quarantine period. However, for the 7-foot-4 young giant, adjustment to his game won’t be an issue.
“For me, I didn’t really find anything hard to learn. I think that’s one of my strengths: I’m a fast learner and I’m very fast to adjust,” Sotto said.
“It took me just a couple of days to learn all of coach Tab’s systems, plays, and defensive schemes. It’s been easier because coach Sandy (Arespacochaga) is by my side in the process, helping me and telling me what I should or should not do. For now, it’s been really good,” Sotto added.
Philippines’ national team head coach Tab Baldwin was also confident that Kai will easily blend into their basketball system. Sotto already tasted Baldwin’s basketball recipe when they had training in Doha, Qatar.
“Kai was able to join us in a previous training bubble when we were preparing to play the games in Doha, Qatar. We accomplished a lot with him during that time but unfortunately, those games were canceled,” Baldwin added.
“Naturally, we were worried about how much of that will stay with him but the coaching staff was pleased to find out that he has great retention of information. There is a solid foundation of knowledge from his past experience with us that helped him process the new information we introduced since then.”