Japeth Aguilar started for Gilas in Sotto’s place but it was Fajardo who absorbed the full brunt of his absence after being left to fight against the physical frontline of Brazil in Bruno Caboclo and Cristiano Felicio.
Japeth Aguilar started for Gilas in Sotto’s place but it was Fajardo who absorbed the full brunt of his absence after being left to fight against the physical frontline of Brazil in Bruno Caboclo and Cristiano Felicio.
Cone said not having the 22-year-old to man the paint alongside frontcourt partner June Mar Fajardo took a hit to Gilas. Sotto’s length wouldn’t only intimidate and alter opponent’s shots on the defensive end but also give the Filipinos a viable option on the offense particularly during their scoring drought.
Sotto was in uniform in the contest but the coaching staff decided to not force him to play through an abdomen injury he sustained after Georgia big man Goga Bitadze fell on him while he sprawled on the floor. “It's funny we didn't expect to be here but then when we got here we expected to win so it's very painful that we did,” said Cone whose wards completely collapsed in the third frame when they were limited to just six points.
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