MANILA – Kai Sotto continued to excel as Adelaide 36ers’ starting center. They cruised to their third straight win against South East Melbourne Phoenix, 94-88, in the 2022-23 NBL season over the weekend at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
The Filipino center, who started for the 36ers for the third straight game, poured in seven points to go with 10 rebounds and one assists as they captured their ninth victory in 17 matches.
Robert Franks led the way for Adelaide with his 20 points, eight boards, an assist, a steal, and a block, while Daniel Johnson also tallied 20 points to go with seven rebounds in the win.
Mitch McCarron added 16 points, four boards, and two dimes, as Antonius Cleveland did the dirty work for the 36ers with 13 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and five steals for Adelaide.
Sotto and the 36ers rode on the momentum of their back-to-back victories at home as they dominated the visiting Phoenix to even erect its largest lead of 89-75 midway in the fourth quarter.
The Phoenix, however, responded with 10 unanswered points to cut the deficit to 85-89 with over a minute left but three free throws by McCarron gave the 36ers the much-needed separation.
Mitch Creek spearheaded the offense for the Phoenix with 24 points to go with five boards, and two assists as they failed to duplicate their 102-84 win over the 36ers last December 11.
Prior to this victory, the 7-foot-3 Sotto also started at center position for Adelaide in their 108-77 blowout victory of Brisbane Bullets and in their 93-82 victory over Tasmania JackJumpers.
The Gilas Pilipinas big man uncorked 13 points, including a three-pointer, alongside eight rebounds, an assist, and a block against the Bullets and nine points, three rebounds, two blocks, and one assist versus the JackJumpers.
Adelaide will end the 2022 with a game against the Bullets anew on Thursday afternoon for possibly their fourth consecutive victory and also a sweep of their four games at their homecourt./PN
