Kai Sotto goes perfect from inside as Adelaide turns back Melbourne

Kai Sotto had a solid game in 17 minutes of action in his return to Adelaide. FIBA (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Kai Sotto was solid offensively in the early goings of his return to Australian NBL action on Thursday night as Adelaide pulled off a 91-86 road win against Melbourne at the John Cain Arena.

Sotto, fresh from a solid stint for Gilas Pilipinas in the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, was perfect from inside the arc, making all of his three shots, a dunk and two hooks, and finished with eight points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 17 minutes of action.

The 36ers held United to only 14 third quarter points and even led by as much as 15 points late in the period but had to escape a United comeback in the fourth.

Robert Franks and Anthony Drmic each scored 21 points with Franks also grabbing 11 rebounds for the double-double for Adelaide, which moved up to sixth place in the team standings at 4-4.

Rayjon Tucker made 23 points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal to lead Melbourne, which fell to seventh at 5-6.

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