Kai Sotto gears up for better 2022 as Adelaide endures postponements

MANILA, Philippines – After a challenging 2021, Filipino wunderkind Kai Sotto is now all fired up for what’s yet to come after sharing a bit of his personal struggles on social media on New Year’s Day Saturday, January 1.

“Started the year rough but I just believed it’ll all become better as long as I believe in myself,” he wrote on Instagram. “‘God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers’ is what I always tell myself.”

“This year was the first year when I had my birthday, and New Year’s away from family and home, but I believe these sacrifices will all turn out to be ones that will strengthen me at the end of the day,” continued Sotto, who shared that 2021 was more of a mental battle rather than a physical one.

The challenges continue for the towering 19-year-old as the Australia National Basketball League (NBL) is now facing a renewed battle with COVID-19, forcing Sotto’s Adelaide 36ers to postpone two games so far, including their Sunday, January 2 tilt against South East Melbourne. (SCHEDULE: Kai Sotto in Australia NBL)

The timing couldn’t have been any worse for both Sotto and Adelaide as a whole, as the Sixers got demolished by the Cairns Taipans, 67-93, in their last game back on December 18, which also happened to be Sotto’s official professional debut.

There, the 7-foot-3 prospect, after missing more than a month due to a right knee injury, impressed with a line of 1 point, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks in just under 10 minutes off the bench.

Unless more postponements occur due to league and government health protocols, Sotto can show off more of his sky-high potential on Friday, January 7, 4:30 pm, Manila time, against the Perth Wildcats. – Rappler.com