Screengrab: Japan B.League
(UPDATED) Filipino star center Kai Sotto has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the Koshigaya Alphas revealed on Wednesday.
Sotto, 22, sustained the injury in the first quarter of their game against the Sea Horses Mikawa on Sunday, where they were eventually handed a 77-79 loss.
The Alphas has placed the big man on their injury list following the development, abruptly ending his 2025 season in the Japanese league as he is expected to miss at least six months in his basketball career.
He will also sit out the upcoming B.League Asia Rising Star Game next Saturday, January 18, the Alphas announced.
"The worst way to start the year, might be the darkest day of my basketball career, when I was told I tore my ACL," Sotto said on Instagram.
"Tough to let this one sink in. I appreciate all the love and support everyone has given me these past few days. I know God has a better plan for me and we just have to keep going," he went on.
The 7-foot-3 big man is also having a breakout season in the Japan B.League, averaging his best numbers of 13.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.1 blocks per contest--a hope for Alphas, before the injury, who hold a 8-20 record.
READ: Cone sticking with Aguilar, Amos as Gilas waits for update on Sotto’s injury scare
With this, Sotto is also expected to miss the upcoming window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers, although Gilas Pilipinas has already earned a spot in the Asia Cup.
The national team will be playing Chinese Taipei and New Zealand in February sans the beloved center. On Tuesday, Gilas head coach Tim Cone said he's sticking with Japeth Aguilar and Mason Amos to fill the void left by Kai.
READ: Gilas stint prepped Kai Sotto for upcoming B.League season
Injuries are part of an athlete's life, but ACL tears are dreaded, as players are expected to miss significant time off his or her career.
And upon recovery, it's not even sure they could return to their original forms.
It's a double heartbreak for Sotto, as he is posting up better-than-ever averages in Japan B.League and Gilas Pilipinas.
Although hopes are up as ex-PBA players have previously came back stronger from an ACL tear such as Larry Fonacier, Dondon Hontiveros, and Marc Pingris.
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