KAI Sotto and his Filipino fans will have to wait.

Sotto, the 7-3 Filipino phenom, was not fielded in during the Orlando Magic’s 78-89 setback to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA 2K24 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Sunday.

in Las Vegss on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time)

The 21-year-old Sotto, who is hoping to become the first full-grown Filipino player to make it to the NBA, was one of six players who did not get the chance to strut their wares against the Pistons.

Orlando dressed 16 players, but Dylan Murphy used only 10 of them

Reports said several Filipino fans attended the game and even chanted Sotto’s name.

But Sotto, son of former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player Ervin Sotto , can still get his chance when the Magic play against the Indiana Pacers on July 11, New York Knicks on July 13, and Portland Trailblazers.on July 14.

While on the Orlando bench, the Las Piñas-born Sotto got to watch the Magic’s top two rookie picks strut their wares against the Pistons.

Anthony Black, a 6-5 guard from Arkansas who was selected at No. 6, had a brilliant all-around game with 17 points, five rebounds and three steals in nearly 28 minutes of action.

Jeff Howard, a 6-8 guard from Michigan who was picked at No. 11 by Orlando, finished with eight points, three rebounds, four assists and three steals in 30 minutes.

Tyger Campbell, Dexter Dennis, Amauri Hardy, Drake Jeffries, and Au’Diese also did not.play for the Magic.

Former Golden State player James Wiseman led Detroit with 20 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya