Filipino teen prodigy Kai Sotto showed flashes of brilliance as he helped Adelaide 36ers beat Cairns Taipan, 91-87, in overtime in the NBL Blitz pre-season games at the MyState Bank Arena on Sunday, Nov. 14
Sotto finally got his first taste of the pro-action, finishing with seven points, five rebounds and a block in almost 20 minutes on the floor as a starter in his pre-season debut with the 36ers.
The 7-foot-3 beanpole gave 36ers a glimpse of his potential including a two-handed throw down off a baseline drive in the second quarter. Sotto also had a huge drive in regulation that gave the 36ers a 74-72 lead with 43 seconds left.
Cairns climbed its way back to the game as it forced an extra period after Adelaide was called for a goaltending in Stephen Zimmerman’s layup that tied the game at 79-all at the buzzer.
Adelaide then seized control of the game in OT behind three-time all NBL team member Daniel Johnson who scored seven of the team’s 12 points in the extra period to take the victory. Johnson exploded for 33 points to go along with eight rebounds and three assists to power the 36ers to its first pre-season win.
Zimmerman and Majok Deng paced the Taipans with 18 points each.
The 36ers got four points after winning the game which was worth three points and the second quarter, 25-19. The team which will have the most points at the end of the single-round robin, four-team tournament will win the Loggins-Bruton Cup.
Sotto will be back in action when Adelaide takes on the Perth Wildcats on Tuesday.