MANILA – Kai Sotto suffered an apparent knee injury in the opening quarter, contributing to Koshigaya Alphas’ 79-77 defeat to Seahorses Mikawa in the Japan B.League Division 1 on Sunday afternoon at the Kariyashi Taiikukan.
The 7-foot-3 Sotto injured his left knee while backing down against an opposing player at the 6:20 mark of the first quarter. He ended scoreless in just over three minutes of action as they dropped to an 8-20 win-loss slate.
The Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team center still managed to return to the Alphas bench in the second half, but head coach Ryuzo Anzai opted not to field him in as a precautionary measure.
“Kai got injured, and injuries to players are the saddest thing ever, so I think it’s Kai himself who is suffering the most, and I want us all to support him and do our best until he is able to return,” Anzai said after the game.
Aside from the Alphas, Sotto’s injury will also have an impact in Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the February window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifier, where they will battle Chinese Taipei and New Zealand.
Gilas head coach Tim Cone said Sotto’s injury was unfortunate and he will be forced to turn to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings veteran Japeth Aguilar to fill up their center position.
“Japeth is there to replace any of the bigs that we have,” Cone said. “He’s eligible and has experience. And if you can tell me there’s another big out there that matches Japeth’s size and ability, then I’ll be happy to look at him,”
Kiefer Ravena, meanwhile, tallied 21 points, three assists, and two rebounds to lead Yokohama B-Corsairs (11-17) to a 90-57 victory over Nagasaki Velca (13-15) at the Happiness Arena.
Bobby Ray Parks Jr., on the other hand, finished with nine points, five assists, and four rebounds as Osaka Evessa (15-13) scored a 94-83 victory over Kyoto Hannaryz (14-15).
Matthew Wright contributed 20 points as Kawasaki Brave Thunders (7-21) edged Sendai 89ers (7-21), 77-71, while Dwight Ramos tallied 17 points as Levanga Hokkaido (10-18) toppled Chiba Jets (18-10), 70-64./PN
