DESPITE the Adelaide 36ers suffering a brutal loss at the hands of the New Zealand Breakers in Round 5 of the National Basketball League (NBL), there was still one shining light in the form of young gun Kai Sotto’s performance.

A big man with enormous potential and a massive following from his home country of the Philippines, Sotto put together one of his finest performances in a 36ers kit on the weekend.

Coming off the bench, he was one of Adelaide’s best and provided a spark whenever their energy was stagnant on either end of the court. Sotto also managed to do all of this in limited court time, which shows how impactful he can be when given the opportunity.

Adelaide 36ers (70) def. by New Zealand Breakers (99)

Kai Sotto – 14 minutes, 16 points, seven rebounds

In typical fashion, Sotto did not enter the game until late in the first term, and with just over a minute remaining on the clock when he hit the court, he was unable to register any statistics, but his presence in the paint was certainly felt.

He remained on the court to start the second term, as the Breakers began to edge ahead on the scoreboard. Sotto nailed a crucial lay-up after a strong drive to the hoop, but gave away a foul just moments later. However, the score was just the spark he needed, combining well with Mitch McCarron the very next possession to produce another basket inside the paint, fighting through contact to draw the and-one too.

He continued to take on the undersized Breakers big men inside the paint and kept hitting the scoreboard for even more baskets under the hoop. With the Breakers firing on all cylinders, it was Sotto that kept them in the game with his rebounding and inside scoring.

It was as comfortable as the big man has looked at the level, and he headed to the bench for a well earned rest after an impactful stint on the court. Unsurprisingly, the 36ers looked a worse side without him on the court, and headed into half time trailing on the scoreboard.

Sotto entered the game again late in the third term, as the deficit began to get too much for Adelaide. Despite trailing, he never gave up and continued to pressure the New Zealand interior defence, while also pulling down some big rebounds.

The final term saw the starters placed on the bench as the 36ers bowed out after a disappointing performance. Sotto was still fighting tooth and nail, and delivered some promising signs on the offensive end, even when the result was decided.

A few more baskets from inside the paint and some deserved trips to the free throw line saw the big man close out the game in style, in what was an encouraging performance, and should see him get increased opportunity in the coming weeks.