By NIKOLE JAVIER
Filipino fans continued to wonder why Kai Sotto rode the bench for the second straight time as Orlando Magic fell at the hands of Indiana Pacers, 108-85, in the 2023 NBA Summer League at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas Tuesday morning, July 11 (Manila time).
The 7-foot-3 center wasn’t even on the floor even for a minute when Magic absorbed an 89-78 drubbing from the Detroit Pistons two days ago to the dismay of Filipinos back home.
The Filipino hopeful’s debut in the Summer League hasn’t gone as promising as expected, with Magic coach Dylan Murphy still sticking to power forward DJ Wilson, who tallied 10 points and saw the most action, to man the frontline that could’ve also been Sotto’s role had he been fielded.
It was another letdown for Filipino spectators who chanted “We want Sotto” during a free throw according to a tweet.
But their appeal fell into deaf ears.
Aside from the coach’s decision not to play Sotto, there was still no confirmation or mention of Sotto nursing some sort of injury.
At this point, the 21-year-old center could be racing against time as there are only two remaining games left for the Magic – one against the New York Knicks on Thursday, July 13 (Manila time) and the Portland Trail Blazers the following day.
Forward Robert Baker II, likewise, who suited up for Orlando’s G-League affiliate team, Osceola Magic, logged decent time and scored 10 points in 13 minutes of play.
