Kai Sotto, Hiroshima bow out of B.League season

Photo from Kai Sotto’s Instagram

MANILA, Philippines—Kai Sotto’s championship bid with the Hiroshima Dragonflies ended on Monday as they fell to the Chiba Jets, 96-91, in Game 3 of the Japan B.League quarterfinals at Funabishi Arena.

Sotto hardly made any impact, playing for only five minutes and ending up with only two points and two rebounds for Hiroshima.

His five-minute spell comes after having six points, six rebounds and three assists in Hiroshima’s 98-69 blowout loss in Game 2 on Sunday.

Dwayne Evans tried to salvage the Dragonflies’ season with 26 points built on four triples but to no avail. Kerry Blackshear Jr. also chipped in 20 in the loss.

John Mooney led the Jets with 24 points while Yuki Togashi and Vic Lo added 19 points apiece.

Chiba arranged a showdown with Alvark Tokyo in the semifinals.

The 21-year-old Sotto averaged 9.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and a team-high 1.3 blocks in 23 games in his first season in the B.League.

Sotto helped Hiroshima finish sixth in the elimination round with a 41-18 record.

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