royal panalo Kai Sotto laments ‘darkest day’ after ACL injury
2025-01-13 04:37:25
Kai Sotto will be out for at least six months after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee.–PHOTO FROM KAI SOTTO IG
MANILA, Philippines—Kai Sotto will be sidelined for an extended period of time after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee.
Sotto suffered the injury early in the Koshigaya Alphas’ 79-77 loss to the SeaHorses Mikawa in the Japan B.League on Sunday.
Article continues after this advertisement“The worst way to start the year, might be the darkest day of my basketball career, when I was told I tore my ACL. Tough to let this one sink in,” wrote Sotto in an Instagram post Wednesday.
FEATURED STORIES SPORTS Kai Sotto laments 'darkest day' after ACL injury SPORTS PBA: Ready for battle, Joshua Munzon leads Northport upset of Ginebra SPORTS PBA: NorthPort beats Ginebra for the first time in five years READ: Gilas big men Kai Sotto, AJ Edu among B.League stats leaders“I appreciate all the love and support everyone has given me these past few days. I know God has a better plan for me and we just have to keep going.”
The Alphas expect the 7-foot-3 center to be out for at least six months.
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Article continues after this advertisement“Kai Sotto was injured in the game against the SeaHorses Mikawa on Sunday, January 5, 2025, and was diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and has been placed on the injury list,” the team said in a statement.
Article continues after this advertisement READ: Kai Sotto ends 2024 strong, propels Koshigaya to back-to-back wins”As a result, Kai Sotto will miss the B.League Asia Rising Star Game.”
Article continues after this advertisementThe 22-year-old Sotto will also miss Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the third and final window of the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers next month against host Taipei on February 20 and home bet New Zealand on February 23.
Playing his best basketball before the injury, Sotto has been one of the biggest reasons why Gilas is undefeated at 4-0 in the qualifiers averaging 15.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.3 blocks.
Article continues after this advertisementSotto is also a vital piece for the Alphas posting 13.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.2 blocks per game.
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