PHILIPPINE wunderkind Kai Sotto unleashed his defensive prowess as the Adelaide 36ers shrugged off a slow start to beat the Cairns Taipans, 82-71, in the Australia National Basketball League (NBL) on Sunday at the Adelaide Entertainment Center.
The 7-foot-3 Filipino sensation listed three blocks and a steal on top of five points and five rebounds in just 12 minutes of play as the 36ers erased an early 9-23 deficit.
Mr. Sotto previously had three straight double-digit scoring including a game-clinching bucket in the 36ers’ 88-83 upset of reigning champion Melbourne United.
Adelaide improved to 5-7 and exacted vengeance on Cairns after a 93-67 loss last December that also marked Sotto’s official NBL debut following a knee soreness issue.
Mr. Sotto’s defensive brilliance complemented Adelaide’s balanced attack led by Daniel Johnson with 18 markers, nine rebounds and two blocks.
Mitch Mccarron, Sunday Dech and Dusty Hannahs added 14, 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Mr. Sotto and the 36ers look to get a run going on the road next Friday against the Illawarra Hawks at the WIN Entertainment Center. — John Bryan Ulanday
