Kai Sotto impressed many fans during Gilas Pilipinas' commendable run in the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, Latvia.
As the 2024-2025 Japan B.League season approaches, Filipino big man Kai Sotto is eager to carry the momentum from a stellar performance at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) towards his new stint with the Koshigaya Alphas.
Sotto’s performance at the OQT showcased his potential on an international stage. He delivered a standout game against then-world no. 6 Latvia, scoring 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting, accompanied by eight rebounds, an assist, and a block.
However, a setback in his next match against Georgia, where he sustained an abdominal injury, limited his playtime to just 12 minutes. This injury forced him to miss the semifinal match against Brazil, where Gilas Pilipinas suffered a close 60-71 defeat.
Nonetheless, Sotto emphasized the confidence gained during the FIBA tournament.
“I just have to continue working; the confidence I gained from the past OQT really helped me a lot coming into this season,” Sotto said during the Japan B.League’s 2024-25 Season Tip-off Conference. “I have a big responsibility in this team this year, and I'm really excited. It’s going to be a challenging year, but it will be fun.”
The 7-foot-3 Sotto signed with Koshigaya following a breakout year with the Yokohama B-Corsairs, averaging 12.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game.
Sotto joins the Alphas as they make their highly anticipated B1 debut after finishing second in the B2 division last year, securing their promotion.
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The team has set its sights on making a strong impression in the top tier. And with Sotto's addition, hopes are high.
Having spent over a month training and playing with his new team, Sotto is optimistic about their potential, though he admits that they need to improve further as a unit.
“I’ve been here for a month, played a couple of games already, and we're still not in our best shape yet,” Sotto bared.
“We still have to work on our chemistry and everything. We still got time before the season starts. It will be a challenging year, but I trust my teammates, and they all work hard. It’s gonna be a fun season,” he added.
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Koshigaya will kick off the season on the road against the Alvark Tokyo on October 5, followed by their first home game as a B1 team against the Ryukyu Golden Kings on October 12.