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| Kai Sotto injured his ACL last Sunday. Screenshot from Japan B.League |
MANILA--One of the worst things that could happen to an athlete happened to Kai Sotto as he suffered a dreaded ACL injury during his previous Japan B.League game on Sunday.
Koshigaya confirmed on Wednesday that the seven-foot-three beanpole had a "ruptured ACL", which is equivalent to a full tear, when he fell down badly while posting up against Mikawa's Zach Auguste early into their showdown.
According to the Alphas, the 22-year-old center is expected to miss at least six months, which rules him out for the rest of the B.League season.
The major injury is a dampener to what had been a solid season for Sotto, who prior to the start of 2025 was the only player to average a double-double in the ongoing season.
"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," Sotto said in a statement on Instagram
Gilas Pilipinas-wise, Sotto will have to sit out the February window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, and unless his recovers quicker than expected, he might have to sit out the main FIBA Asia Cup tournament as well.
There is also a possibility that Sotto could miss the first window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers from Nov. 24-Dec. 2 if he opts for a full recovery that oftentimes runs through a full year.
Despite the setback, Sotto remains positive about the future of his career.
"I know God has a better plan for me and we just have to keep going," Sotto concluded.
Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno
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