Sotto nears return after ACL injury

Sports

SIDELINED by a severe knee injury, towering center Kai Center announced that he is close to returning.

The 7-foot-3 Sotto took to social media to announce that he is set to suit up again for the Koshigaya Alphas in this season’s Japan B.League.

“Year 5. I'm back. #comebackyear,” Sotto posted on Instagaram on Friday, Jan. 23. He accompanied the post with a photo of him wearing a Koshigaya jersey.

It was last Jan. 25 last year when Sotto tore his ACL in Koshigaya’s 77-79 loss to the SeaHorses Mikawa.

The career-threatening injury was described by Sotto as the “darkest day of my basketball career.”

The injury prevented Sotto from suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas in major international tournaments.

After undergoing surgery and almost a year of therapy in Japan and in the country, the lanky center is all pumped up for a much-awaited return.

Sotto’s impending return is expected to give Koshigaya much-needed lift. The Alphas are currently at 20th place in the B.League standings with 10 wins and 20 losses.(CCM)