By NIKOLE JAVIER
Kai Sotto made his much-awaited debut in the 2023 NBA Summer League and scored 6 points in a cameo role for the Orlando Magic at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas Friday morning, July 14 (Manila time).
The 7-foot-3 center also posted four rebounds, one assist and three blocks in the team’s 88-71 defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Filipino NBA hopeful, who was the only center in the lineup and the lone big man who was kept on the bench in the prior defeats, logged 13 minutes and 23 seconds in his first preseason league action.
And as expected, there were mixed reactions to Sotto’s debut in the social media – some were nice and pleasing comments but some were below-the-belt and unkind.
It was a huge relief to his supporters who had been praying fervently for this magical moment to happen.
Sotto was fielded in the second quarter and totaled five minutes and 37 seconds of play before the halftime.
In his nearly eighth-minute on the floor, the Gilas big man finally tallied his first basket off an offensive rebound and highlighted his debut with a dunk that triggered massive messages and comments in Facebook and Instagram.
Sotto and the Magic eye their breakthrough win after four failed tries in the preseason league when they tackle the Boston Celtics on Sunday, July 16 (Manila time).
Dexter Dennis scored a team-high 16 points in the losing effort, while Quinndary Weatherspoon and forward DJ Wilson had 11 points apiece.
