The rivalry between Gilas Pilipinas and New Zealand is heating up, with talks of a potential rematch creating buzz among fans and analysts. New Zealand has reportedly expressed two significant concerns after their previous encounter with Gilas, fueling their desire for redemption. Meanwhile, Kai Sotto is preparing to elevate his game by focusing on bulking up to improve his physicality in future matches.

New Zealand’s Two Key Reasons Against Gilas:

Officiating Concerns

: After their recent loss to Gilas, New Zealand has voiced dissatisfaction with the refereeing during the match. They believe several calls were questionable and worked against their favor. This has sparked conversations about fairness and consistency in officiating during international games.

Gilas’ Physicality

: New Zealand struggled with the physical dominance of players like Justin Brownlee and Kai Sotto. Gilas’ ability to control the paint and outmuscle their opponents proved to be a game-changer. New Zealand aims to address this in their rematch preparation.

Kai Sotto’s Plan to Bulk Up:

As part of his development, Kai Sotto is reportedly working on building his strength and endurance to handle more physical play at an international level. While his height and skills have already made him a key asset for Gilas, added muscle mass will allow him to:

Improve post-play dominance against bigger opponents.
Enhance defensive presence in the paint.

Gilas’ Road Ahead:

Coach Tim Cone and the Gilas team are not resting on their laurels. The rematch against New Zealand presents an opportunity to solidify their standing in Asia and globally. With players like Scottie Thompson, Dwight Ramos, Justin Brownlee, and a rising star in Kai Sotto, the team is determined to maintain its momentum.

Fans are eager to see how both teams will adapt and whether Gilas can once again assert dominance, proving their strength as one of Asia’s top basketball teams.