Kai Sotto on loan transfer to Yokohama B-Corsairs
KAI SOTTO is off to a new team in the Japan B. League.
Through a loan transfer from his former club Hiroshima Dragonflies, the 7-foot-3 Filipino sensation will now play for the Yokohama B-Corsairs according to the team’s official announcement on Thursday.
Mr. Sotto’s transfer period is effective until the end of the ongoing 2023-2024 B. League season.
The 21-year-old cager signed a one-year extension with the Dragonflies this season prior to his loan transfer nearing the halfway mark of the tournament.
Hiroshima, his former squad, currently sits at 17th place with an 11-13 slate while Yokohama is at 19th with a 10-14 mark.
The B-Corsairs are expecting Mr. Sotto’s contribution to turn their fortunes around for a rejigged playoff push with still a bevy of games left in the regular season.
“In order to reach this goal, we have decided to make changes to our roster. Kai Sotto is a very promising young player (with height) and a shooting touch,” said General Manager Ken Takeda.
“We have high expectations for him, not only as an inside defense and rebounder but also as a new option on offense. I believe that with the addition of Sotto, the team will gain even more energy and accelerate into the mid-game and second-half games.”
Mr. Sotto vowed to make his presence felt for Yokohama after recovering from a back injury that sidelined him for Hiroshima early in the season.
“I’m very blessed to be given this opportunity and I will make the most out of it. I’m very excited to play for the city of Yokohama. I can’t wait to win more games and get better as a player,” said Sotto, who is expected to debut on Dec. 30 against the fifth-running Mikawa squad with a 16-8 slate.
Mr. Sotto, who also had a stint with the Adelaide 36ers in his pro career before jumping to Japan, is coming off a solid campaign with Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup here in Manila.
He already completed his transfer papers but will still have to wait for the approval of his application from the Migrant Workers Office, an office operated by the Philippine government to protect and support the welfare of Filipino workers and their families working in Japan, before playing. — John Bryan Ulanday
