Read the full story on SportsLook - Kai Sotto Giving the Koshigaya Alphas a Formidable Presence at Center
Filipino big man Kai Sotto is maximizing his minutes in the 2024-25 B.League season
And with increased playing time this season
A newcomer to the Koshigaya Alphas this season
the 220-cm center scored 25 points and pulled down 18 rebounds in a 100-74 home victory over the Kawasaki Brave Thunders on Sunday
The Alphas (6-13 overall through games of December 11) completed a two-game sweep and recorded their season-best third win in a row
Sotto was in an upbeat mood in the postgame news conference
"I think I did OK, I think I did a good job rebounding, protecting the boards," said Sotto, who suited up for the Yokohama B-Corsairs in the 2023-24 campaign.
so I think everybody did a good job 'cause there's a lot of room for improvement
Sotto, an aspiring NBA player, is averaging 13.8 points in 18 games this season, including a season-best total of 26 on October 23 in a loss to the Akita Northern Happinets
He averaged 12.8 points and 6.4 rebounds in 34 games in 2023-24
Sotto has become an integral player for the Alphas
who earned promotion to the B.League first division
8.3 defensive rebounds (No 1 among all players in the 24-team circuit) and 1.1 blocks (tied for sixth)
Sotto is far from being a chiseled veteran
He runs the floor with youthful energy and makes highlights and mistakes during the course of a game
He finished with six points and six rebounds in nearly 16 minutes in the Alphas' 101-77 triumph
It was a lesson for Sotto and his teammates
with different tactics put in place for the Sunday rematch against Kawasaki (4-15 through December 11)
"There were some adjustments for this game
one of those is just to be aggressive from the start," Sotto told reporters after the series finale
"I think I started pretty soft last game [on defense]."
he bounced back with one of his best games of the season
they started calling fouls on my opponent," Sotto commented
Alphas coach Ryuzo Anzai recognizes that Sotto has talent and potential to keep growing as a player
"Kai is an exceptional athlete who moves incredibly well for his height and transitions seamlessly from fakes to dunks," Anzai said.
and his experience level is probably not that high
And Kai himself is in the process of growing up after getting a certain amount of playing time with this team."
On coaching someone who is a key member of the Philippines national team
Anzai spoke about the sense of duty he has to help Sotto further develop his game
Continue reading the full story on SportsLook
Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
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one of the world’s largest express transportation companies
is enhancing its service to better serve customers importing to certain areas in Koshigaya City
Importers can now receive their deliveries one day earlier for inbound parcel and freight shipments arriving in Japan on a weekday
Koshigaya City boasts a thriving manufacturing sector and is home to many small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) that produce high-quality products used around the world
Approximately 70% of FedEx customers in the area are businesses in diverse industries such as machinery
and information communication technology (ICT) equipment
all of which are actively trading to produce and sell their products
we recognize that a more connected and globalized economy has transformed the manufacturing landscape
with materials and components sourced from around the world,” said Kei Alan Kubota
“The speed of delivery is critical for these businesses
We are committed to supporting importers by accelerating the delivery of shipments to the area
helping them maintain a competitive edge.”
Dwight Ramos and Levanga Hokkaido aim for a regular season series sweep over the Koshigaya Alphas.
Levanga snapped out of a two-game skid after a 96-92 victory over the Gunma Crane Thunders in their last outing.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by B.LEAGUE (@b.league_en)
[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI
and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]
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KAI Sotto was still very much in the minds of his Koshigaya Alphas peers as they pulled off a massive 91-89 overtime win over powerhouse Chiba Jets at Koshigaya Municipal General Gymnasium on Sunday
Soichiro Inoue drained the game-winning jumper with five seconds to play then later dedicated the huge win to the Gilas Pilipinas big man
who is out for the season after tearing his ACL last weekend
we won!” he said during the postgame interview as he wore Sotto’s No
His timely heroics liften the Alphas to a 9-21 card to make up for their slim 72-70 loss to Chiba the day before
Matthew Wright also came up big for Kawasaki Brave Thunders in their 73-66 win over Fighting Eagles Nagoya on Sunday at Nagoyashi Inae Sports Center
The Fil-Canadian gunner drained two triples for his 19 points
and one board to redeem himself from a sub-par game in their 94-80 loss on Saturday where he only had five points and four rebounds
The weekend split enabled Kawasaki to win four of its last six and climb up to 8-22
The other Filipino imports failed to register victories this weekend
Dwight Ramos’ Levanga Hokkaido bowed to Kyoto Hannaryz at Hokkai Kitayell
first a 92-76 rout on Saturday where he scored 10 points and three rebounds
before an 84-68 defeat on Sunday where Ramos was limited to five points
Ray Parks’ Osaka Evessa also got swept by Gunma Crane Thunders at Ookini Arena Maishima
before a much closer 75-71 defeat a day after where he collected nine points
Osaka now goes down to an even 15-15 record
AJ Edu’s Nagasaki Velca dropped their weekend series versus Hiroshima Dragonflies at Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall
The Fil-Cypriot center notched seven points
and one steal in their 78-71 defeat on Friday
before an 82-70 loss saw him put up eight points
Kiefer Ravena’s Yokohama B-Corsairs could not hurdle the Ryukyu Golden Kings at Yokohama International Pool
He was a non-factor in their 76-60 loss on Saturday
and four assists in their 103-89 blowout on Sunday
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Philippines – In their second game playing minus their top center Kai Sotto
the Koshigaya Alphas snapped a three-game losing skid following a nail-biting 91-89 win against the Chiba Jets in the Japan B
Koshigaya’s Soichiro Inoue knocked down a tough game-winning three-pointer off the glass with just 5.4 seconds left in overtime as the Alphas dedicated the dramatic victory to their Filipino import Sotto, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee last January 5
we won!” shouted Inoue in Japanese in the post-game interview while wearing Sotto’s No
“This is for @kzsotto,” added Inoue of his clutch trey on his Instagram story shortly after the match
The 7-foot-3 Gilas Pilipinas big man Sotto is expected to be sidelined for a significant time and will miss the B. League Asia Rising Star Game along with his fellow Filipino Asian Quota imports on Saturday, January 18, as well as the third and final window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in February
He is also likely to miss the Philippines’ campaign in the Asia Cup in August
Sotto was averaging a near double-double of 13.8 points on 52.8% shooting and 9.6 rebounds
on top of 2 assists and 1.1 blocks in 26 games played for the Alphas this 2024-2025 B
Kai Sotto has scored at least 20 points in three of his last four games in Japan's B.LEAGUE following his latest Gilas Pilipinas tour of duty
Kai Sotto continues his surge back in Japan’s B.LEAGUE following his latest stint with Gilas Pilipinas
Sotto tied his career-high in rebounds Sunday
going for 25 points and 18 rebounds as the Koshigaya Alphas protected home court with a big 100-74 win over the Kawasaki Brave Thunders
improving to 6-12 in the Eastern Conference
Since the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers
scoring at least 20 points in three of his last four games in Japan
The only lull was a six-point outing in Saturday’s win against the Brave Thunders
but Sotto only played 16 minutes in a rousing 101-77 victory
Sotto is averaging career-highs of 13.7 points
KAI Sotto’s superb efforts still could not save the Koshigaya Alphas from a sixth straight loss in the Japan B.League as they fell to Kyoto Hannaryz this weekend at the Koshigaya City Gymnasium
The 7-foot-3 center put up 20 points
and one block in their 92-84 loss on Saturday before his 18-point
10-rebound double-double was wasted in a 96-80 defeat on Sunday
That dropped Koshigaya down to a woeful 6-18 card in the Eastern Conference standings
In contrast, Kiefer Ravena helped his Yokohama B-Corsairs bounce back on Sunday with an 85-73 win over Hiroshima Dragonflies where he put up 13 points and two assists at Yokohama International Pool
That’s a sweet redemption after a narrow 80-79 loss on Saturday where Damien Inglis‘ pass intended for Ravena was stolen by Takuto Nakamura and foiled what would have been a game-winning shot
AJ Edu did his part for Nagasaki Velca as they swept the Ibaraki Robots on the road at Adastria Mito Arena and extended their win streak to five
The Fil-Cypriot big man grabbed nine rebounds to go with his two points
one block in a 97-85 victory that evened Nagasaki’s standing to 12-12
Dwight Ramos’ 21-point night also went down the drain after Levanga Hokkaido tasted a 102-78 rout at the hands of San-En NeoPhoenix at Toyohashi City Gymnasium on Saturday
and did not do any better in their 84-79 setback on Sunday where he was held to just two points and one board
Hokkaido dropped to 9-15 after the back-to-back losses
Ray Parks also aided Osaka Evessa in their 88-76 shocker of Chiba Jets at Ookini Arena Maishima on Saturday
That more than made up for their 89-81 defeat on Sunday where he only had 10 points from two threes
Matthew Wright was likewise caged in Kawasaki Brave Thunders’ twin defeats to SeaHorses Mikawa at Kariyashi Taiikukan
and a steal in their 88-79 nipping on Saturday
and three assists in their 97-65 defeat on Sunday
This 10th straight defeat kept Kawasaki near the bottom with a 4-20 card
KAI Sotto’s near-double-double ended in heartbreak after the Koshigaya Alphas saw their three-game win streak in the Japan B.League snapped by an 84-82 defeat to Chiba Jets on Wednesday at Koshigaya City Gymnasium
The Gilas Pilipinas stud held his own down low against a Jets side led by former NBA player Yuta Watanabe
and two steals could not save the hosts from dropping to 6-13
Japanese national player Yuki Togashi delivered the game-winner for the Jets on a drive with 2.2 seconds left
Ray Parks, on the other hand, did help Osaka Evessa earn back-to-back victories as they got the better of Kiefer Ravena and the Yokohama B-Corsairs
Parks scored 18 points and added two boards
and two rebounds as the B-Corsairs' suffered back-to-back losses and fell to 7-12
was held to just three points in Levanga Hokkaido’s 74-64 loss to Gunma Crane Thunders at Openhouse Arena Ota
and a steal in Nagasaki Velca’s 88-82 defeat to Hiroshima Brave Thunders at Hiroshima Sun Plaza
Matthew Wright sat out Kawasaki Brave Thunders’ 85-75 loss to Ryukyu Golden Kings at Okinawa Arena due to an illness
His team suffered a fifth straight defeat and fell to 4-15
KAI Sotto continued to be a difference-maker for the Koshigaya Alphas in their three-game win streak in the Japan B.League.
The Gilas Pilipinas center was solid anew this past weekend in Koshigaya’s home sweep of Kawasaki Brave Thunders
Sotto only had six points
and one block in their 101-77 rout on Saturday before starring with a 25-point
18-rebound double-double in the Alphas’ 101-74 victory on Sunday
His solid play enabled Koshigaya to move up the Eastern Conference with a 6-12 win-loss record
the horrid season continues for Kawasaki which stumbled to their fourth straight defeat to sink to 4-14
Matthew Wright put up 11 points on Saturday before being held to just four points and one steal on Sunday
Ray Parks also helped Osaka Evessa earn a split this past weekend against SunRockers Shibuya at Ookini Arena Maishima
and a block in their 71-66 defeat on Saturday before exacting revenge with a 76-70 escape on Sunday
and five assists as Osaka rose to a 10-8 card
Kiefer Ravena also was vital in Yokohama B-Corsairs’ split against Utsunomiya Brex at Yokohama Buntai
and one steal in their 80-72 win before notching 15 points
and one rebound in their 101-60 loss on Sunday to drop to a 7-11 slate
Dwight Ramos was held to just six points in both of Levanga Hokkaido’s weekend games against Akita Northern Happinets at Hokkai Kitayell
first an 83-77 loss on Saturday and a 69-61 win on Sunday
AJ Edu also was silenced for Nagasaki Velca in their pair of defeats to Alvark Tokyo at Happiness Arena
and a steal in their 89-52 setback on Saturday before grabbing eight rebounds to go with his four points
and a block in their 83-81 heartbreaker on Sunday
KAI Sotto’s 26-point night went for naught anew as the Koshigaya Alphas lost back-to-back games in the 2024-25 Japan B.League season on Wednesday
It was another monster scoring night for the 7-foot-3 center
who shot 13-of-16 from the field and grabbed 11 rebounds
but his efforts were once again wasted as Koshigaya took the 78-69 defeat at the hands of Akita Northern Happinets at CNA Arena Akita
This brought the newly promoted Alphas down to a 1-6 card
Ray Parks’ 21 points also ended in a heartbreaker as his Osaka Evessa tasted a slim 81-79 loss to Nagasaki Velca at Happiness Arena
to go with three boards and one steal as Osaka slid to 4-3 after this third straight loss
AJ Edu only had six points
but was a menace in the paint with his six blocks as Nagasaki improved to 5-2
and two rebounds in Yokohama B-Corsairs’ 78-59 blowout defeat at the hands of SeaHorses Mikawa at Kariya City Gymnasium
Matthew Wright missed all of his seven shots to wound up with two points
and five boards in Kawasaki Brave Thunders’ 69-54 loss to SunRockers Shibuya at Kawasaki Todoroki Arena
Dwight Ramos remained on the sidelines for the fifth straight game due to an injury as he sat out Levanga Hokkaido’s 81-76 win over Shiga Lakes at Shiga Daihatsu Arena
It was Hokkaido’s second win in three outings to rise to a 2-5 record
both Roosevelt Adams and Geo Chiu sat out their games due to feeling under the weather
Adams’ Yamagata Wyverns incurred an 84-74 loss to Altiri Chiba at Yamagata City General Sports Center to fall to 2-5
while Chiu’s Ehime Orange Vikings also suffered the same fate
against Kumamoto Volters at Mashiki Town General Gymnasium for their fifth straight defeat to sink to 1-6
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Kai Sotto joins the newly-promoted Koshigaya Alphas for the 2024-25 B.LEAGUE season, making for an intriguing campaign for both player and team.
The 2024-25 B.LEAGUE season marks a new chapter for both Kai Sotto and the Koshigaya Alphas, making for an intriguing dynamic for both player and team.
For Sotto, this is his third season in Japan, but his first with Koshigaya, a team making its debut in B.LEAGUE Division 1 after earning a promotion from B2 with a strong second-place finish last season.
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After joining the Alphas as one of five new signings
Sotto is set to play a key role in their quest to prove they belong among Japan’s elite basketball teams
Sotto’s journey in Japan has been marked by delayed starts due to mid-season arrivals and injuries
[Related: Why are Japan B.League stars Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos, and AJ Edu against the PBA’s 4-point shot?]
He first joined the Hiroshima Dragonflies midway through the 2022-23 season and didn’t make his debut for the Yokohama B-Corsairs until December last year, following an injury layoff.
Despite the delayed start, Sotto impressed in his 34 games in Yokohama, posting career-high averages of 12.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, proving that he could be a dominant force in the paint when given the opportunity.
However, injuries have continued to be a theme in Sotto’s career. Earlier this year, he suffered another setback while playing for Gilas Pilipinas during the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, causing him to miss a pivotal semifinals clash against eventual OQT winner Brazil.
Fortunately, Sotto has since recovered and was able to fully participate in Koshigaya’s pre-season build-up, ensuring that he will start the B.LEAGUE season healthy and ready to go for the first time in his career.
Koshigaya’s promotion to Division 1 is a significant milestone for the club, and the Alphas have wasted no time strengthening their roster for the challenge ahead.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kai Zachary Sotto 🇵🇭 (@kzsotto)
the Alphas bolstered their frontcourt with two more key additions: Tim Soares
who joins from the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins
and veteran Jeff Gibbs previously from the Sunrockers Shibuya.
[Related: Babalik pa rin sa yakap mo: Rere Madrid shares heartfelt moments with Kai Sotto]
Sotto will also be playing under head coach Ryuzo Anzai
a proven winner who led the Utsunomiya Brex to the 2022 B.LEAGUE championship
The Alphas will have a baptism of fire in their first B1 weekend as they will be on the road to take on perennial powerhouse Alvark Tokyo on October 5 and 6
[Editor's note: This article was generated by a member of the One Sports Digital team using AI
Philippines – Kai Sotto remains a force to be reckoned with in the Japan B
After submitting back-to-back high scoring performances for the Koshigaya Alphas in his first two games back from Gilas Pilipinas duty, Sotto produced another monster double-double line on Sunday, December 8, as they completed a weekend sweep of Matthew Wright and the Kawasaki Brave Thunders with a 100-74 rout
The 7-foot-3 Sotto scored a game-high 25 points on a healthy 8-of-13 clip from the floor, 18 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in over 33 minutes of play to lead the Alphas (6-12) to their third consecutive victory
was held to only 4 points on 1-of-3 shooting and 1 steal as the Brave Thunders (4-14) fell to their fourth straight loss
Since helping Gilas Pilipinas sweep the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in November
Sotto has averaged 18.7 points and 11.5 rebounds for the Alphas in their last four matches
His 18-rebound output on Sunday also tied his B
which he first recorded in an 87-78 loss to the Sendai 89ers earlier this season
In 17 games played for the Alphas this year
the 22-year-old Sotto is currently averaging 13.7 points on 54.4% shooting
seventh in both blocks and field goal percentage
both Ray Parks and Dwight Ramos helped their respective squads pick up victories on Sunday
and 1 block as the Osaka Evessa (10-8) defeated the Sunrockers Shibuya
poured in 6 points on 3-of-4 shooting and 1 rebound in just 8 minutes and 37 seconds of action for the Levanga Hokkaido (6-12) in their 69-61 victory against the Akita Northern Happinets
Kiefer Ravena’s Yokohama B-Corsairs (7-11) and AJ Edu’s Nagasaki Velca (7-11) suffered contrasting losses on Sunday
and 1 steal in Yokohama’s 101-60 beating at the hands of the Utsunomiya Brex
and 1 block in Nagasaki’s 83-81 loss to the Alvark Tokyo
GILAS Pilipinas' worst fear has come true
KAI Sotto has suffered a torn arterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the Koshigaya Alphas' loss to the Sea Horses Mikawa last weekend
The unfortunate news was confirmed days after the 7-foot-3 Gilas center flew to Tokyo to undergo an MRI on the left knee which he hurt in a non-contact incident on Sunday
"Might be the darkest day of my career," said the 22-year old former Ateneo high school star in a post on his Instagram account
The diagnosis confirms the biggest injury setback Sotto has suffered in a professional career that until Saturday was on an upswing
Sotto was enjoying a breakout season averaging 13.8 points on 52-percent shooting from the field
and 1.1 blocks in his first year at Koshigaya
He's expected to sit out at least six months of action
meaning he will sit out the remainder of the 2025 B.League season and miss the February window of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers where the Philippines will play Chinese Taipei and New Zealand on the road
The ACL injury also makes Sotto highly doubtful for Gilas' campaign in the Asia Cup set in Saudi Arabia in August
MANILA – Kai Sotto suffered an apparent knee injury in the opening quarter
contributing to Koshigaya Alphas’ 79-77 defeat to Seahorses Mikawa in the Japan B.League Division 1 on Sunday afternoon at the Kariyashi Taiikukan
The 7-foot-3 Sotto injured his left knee while backing down against an opposing player at the 6:20 mark of the first quarter
He ended scoreless in just over three minutes of action as they dropped to an 8-20 win-loss slate
The Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team center still managed to return to the Alphas bench in the second half
but head coach Ryuzo Anzai opted not to field him in as a precautionary measure
and injuries to players are the saddest thing ever
so I think it’s Kai himself who is suffering the most
and I want us all to support him and do our best until he is able to return,” Anzai said after the game
Sotto’s injury will also have an impact in Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the February window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifier
where they will battle Chinese Taipei and New Zealand
Gilas head coach Tim Cone said Sotto’s injury was unfortunate and he will be forced to turn to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings veteran Japeth Aguilar to fill up their center position
“Japeth is there to replace any of the bigs that we have,” Cone said
And if you can tell me there’s another big out there that matches Japeth’s size and ability
and two rebounds to lead Yokohama B-Corsairs (11-17) to a 90-57 victory over Nagasaki Velca (13-15) at the Happiness Arena
and four rebounds as Osaka Evessa (15-13) scored a 94-83 victory over Kyoto Hannaryz (14-15)
Matthew Wright contributed 20 points as Kawasaki Brave Thunders (7-21) edged Sendai 89ers (7-21)
while Dwight Ramos tallied 17 points as Levanga Hokkaido (10-18) toppled Chiba Jets (18-10)
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Kai Sotto recorded his 8th double-double in Japan's B.LEAGUE this season
but the Koshigaya Alphas couldn't cool down the San-en NeoPhoenix
Kai Sotto poured 15 points and 13 rebounds
but it wasn't enough as the Koshigaya Alphas absorbed a 90-78 loss to San-en NeoPhoenix Saturday in the B.LEAGUE.
The marked Sotto’s second double-double in the last three games and eighth overall for the season
this latest effort went for naught against another top team in Japan
as San-en is second in the B1's overall standings so far
by NeoPhoenix in the final frame after both teams engaged in a back-and-forth affair in the first three quarters
The loss pushed the Alphas down to 6-13 for the season.
[ALSO READ: Ray Parks Jr. sustains scoring streak, but Osaka falls to Brex in B.LEAGUE]
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Japanese dentist Yusuke Kamimura's father purchased his first piece of Shohei Ohtani memorabilia: a rosin bag
the soft pouch containing powder that pitchers use to improve their grip on a baseball
the pair are the proud owners of a mini-museum dedicated to the Japanese baseball player inside Kamimura's dental clinic near Tokyo.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); });
we thought that instead of enjoying them on our own
it would be nice to share them with patients," Kamimura said at his clinic in Koshigaya
where his father is also a dentist and director
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Families across the Macarthur region are invited to dive into a world of colour
culture and creativity at the 2025 Macarthur Multicultural Children’s Festival on May 4
Campbelltown and promises to deliver a day of non-stop entertainment
and global flavours – all designed to celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our local community
“This festival is all about bringing people together through shared experiences,” said festival founder and co-director Brian Laul
“Whether it’s dancing to rhythms from across the world
or having your name written in a different language
there are endless ways for children and families to connect
and celebrate what makes our community so wonderfully diverse.”
The festival features a Cultural Discovery Trail
where children can grab a passport and collect stamps as they explore different cultural stalls
tastes and traditions from around the globe
who’ll be sharing fun facts about local wildlife
Another big festival highlight is the large Cultural Costume parade with marching bands and pageantry at 1.30pm that’s followed by a flash mob anthem
“We believe children who play together grow up to live together in harmony,” Mr Laul said
“And this festival is where that spirit begins – with joy
laughter and meaningful moments that help us all appreciate the beautiful cultures around us.”
Festival co-director Ronna Guzman echoed the sentiment
“This is a grassroots celebration of multiculturalism that invites everyone to take part
We see families from all walks of life enjoying the day
and we’re proud to create a space where children can feel proud of who they are
and plenty of photo opportunities in front of colourful country banners and cultural displays
and all are welcome to be part of this special event that has been supported by the Australian Government MGI Grant
Campbelltown City Council and Wests Group Macarthur
Children’s performing groups or local community groups wishing to participate in the Festival can visit: Macarthur Multicultural Children’s Festival on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/macarthurmulticulturalchildrensfestival
What: Macarthur Multicultural Children’s Festival 2025When: Sunday 4 May 2025
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KAI Sotto’s first head-to-head matchup in this Japan B.League season against fellow Gilas Pilipinas big AJ Edu was cut short by a sprained left ankle on Wednesday
The 7-foot-3 big man limped off in the third quarter and did not return in the Koshigaya Alphas’ 80-67 win over Nagasaki Velca at Koshigaya City Gymnasium
which ended the home team’s six-game losing streak
It was a bummer of an end for Sotto
who retreated to the bench at the 58.7 second mark of the third quarter after compiling 13 points
his teammates got the job done to improve the Alphas' record to 2-10
Edu
and a block in 31 minutes of play as Nagasaki dropped to an even 6-6 card
Dwight Ramos’ return also meant positive things for Levanga Hokkaido as they stretched their win run to three with a 97-88 rout of Sendai 89ers at Hokkai Kitayell
Ramos produced 11 points
and one steal for Hokkaido which improved to a 5-7 slate
Kiefer Ravena’s 13-point night went for naught in Yokohama B-Corsairs’ slim 80-77 defeat to Alvark Tokyo at Yokohama International Pool
but Yokohama slid to 5-7 after a third straight loss
Ray Parks and the Osaka Evessa’s struggles continued as they suffered their third consecutive loss - 93-91 heartbreaker away to to Hiroshima Dragonflies despite the Filipino import's 15 points
Matthew Wright was held to just two rebounds and an assist in the Kawasaki Brave Thunders’ 112-89 blowout loss to San-En NeoPhoenix at Toyohashi City Gymnasium that dropped them to 3-9
Kai Sotto is under the B.LEAGUE's concussion protocol following a collision in Koshigaya's win over Yokohama
The Koshigaya Alphas announced that Sotto was diagnosed with a concussion from a collision during Saturday’s win over his former team Yokohama B-Corsairs in Japan’s B.LEAGUE
??????#11 ??·?????????11/9(?)???????BC?(GAME1)????????????????????????????????BC?(GAME2)????????????????????????B?????????????????????????????#????????…
Sotto thus sat out Sunday’s second game against the same opponent
Kai started and played 13 minutes against Yokohama, scoring seven points
His appearance came after tweaking his left ankle just days prior in a win against the Nagasaki Velca
Sotto got hurt late in the third quarter last November 6
Kai Sotto’s return to action will be determined in accordance to B.LEAGUE protocol
although it should be noted that Japan’s top basketball division will resume regular schedule on November 30
giving way to the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers
Soichiro Inoue drills the game-winner and offers the Koshigaya Alphas victory to ACL injury-hit Kai Sotto
Kai Sotto remained in the hearts of the Koshigaya Alphas as the team dedicated their heart-stopping 91-89 overtime win over the Chiba Jets to the 7-foot-3 center Sunday
Sotto, who was ruled out for the season after suffering an ACL injury, was given a shoutout by Soichiro Inoue after scoring the game-winner with five ticks left in the extra period.
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In his post-game interview at center court
we won!” as he was visibly emotional and motioned to his jersey — as he was also wearing Sotto’s jersey number 11 after the win
their first since Kai's injury was announced earlier in the week
[RELATED: Kai Sotto describes ACL tear as "darkest day" of basketball career]
The dramatic victory came thanks to Inoue even as Koshigaya squandered a five-point lead, 86-81, with 2:58 left in overtime.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by ????????? (@go_alphas)
was one of four Koshigaya players in double-digit figures with 17 points on a 6-of-10 shooting clip.
Kenshin Hoshikawa and Tim Soares had 19 markers each
as LJ Peak tallied a double-double of 11 points and 10 boards
Yuta Watanabe was the top scorer for Chiba in the losing effort with 30 points
The Koshigaya Alphas snapped a three-game losing streak with the win and are 9-21 for the season
The team notably lost Saturday's game to the Jets also on a game-winner
MANILA – Kiefer Ravena and Yokohama B-Corsairs got their revenge on Koshigaya Alphas with an 87-63 victory in the Japan B.League Division 1 on Sunday night at the Yokohama International Pool
The Iloilo City-native Ravena came off the bench to finish 11 points
and two rebounds as the B-Corsairs rebounded from their 80-72 defeat to the Alphas on Saturday
Maik Kotsar had near triple-double numbers of 15 points
while Gary Clark and Kai King added 14 and 12 markers
as the B-Corsairs improved to a 6-8 record
“I am really happy that we won,” said Yokohama head coach Lassi Tuovi in a post-game presser
“All of our players fought hard from the start of today’s match with a strong desire to give it our all.”
“I am proud of the fact that everyone didn’t give up and fought until the end
and it was because of that kind of play that we were able to win,” he added
Tim Soares was the lone double-digit scorer for the Alphas with 23 points
while Kai Sotto was not activated for the match
and two rebounds as he led Kawasaki Brave Thunders (4-10) to a 91-82 victory against his former team
tallied 26 points but Osaka Evessa (7-7) bowed to Sendai 89ers (4-10)
while Dwight Ramos struggled with just four points as Levanga Hokkaido (5-9) lost to Utsunomiya Brex (12-2)
and two rebounds as Kumamoto Volters faltered to Kobe Storks
KIEFER Ravena and Matthew Wright split their first two games against each other in the 2024-25 Japan B.League season over the weekend
Ravena erupted for 18 points
and one steal as the Yokohama B-Corsairs earned an 87-80 win over the Kawasaki Brave Thunders
Wright was quick to settle a score
and one steal in Kawasaki’s 88-81 redemption win on Saturday
Yokohama remained with an even record of 3-3
Kai Sotto
powered Koshigaya Alphas to a breakthrough win
10-rebound double-double in their 88-81 victory over Shimane Susanoo Magic at Wing Hat Kasukabe on Saturday
the Alphas could not make it back-to-back as they lost to Shimane
on Sunday with the 7-foot-3 center registering 12 points
AJ Edu’s Nagasaki Velca also came away with a split in their series against Gunma Crane Thunders at Openhouse Arena Ota
Edu had six points
and two blocks in Nagasaki’s 78-72 win on Saturday
before churning out six and five in the Velca’s 82-72 loss on Sunday to settle for a 4-2 card
Ray Parks tasted his first loss as part of Osaka Evessa as they got swept by SeaHorses Mikawa at Kariyashi Taiikukan
and three assists weren’t enough as Osaka dropped an 87-70 loss on Saturday
before his 15-point night went for naught in the Evessa’s 95-81 setback on Sunday
Meanwhile, Dwight Ramos missed his fourth straight game due to an injury as he sat out Levanga Hokkaido’s series split against Fighting Eagles Nagoya at Nagoya City Inaei Sports Center
Hokkaido escaped with an 83-81 win on Saturday for their first win of the season before Nagoya scored a vengeful 70-54 blowout on Sunday to carry a 1-5 slate
an assist and a steal in Yamagata Wyverns’ big 107-78 decimation of Toyama Grouses at Yamagata Prefectural Sports Park on Saturday
the day after with Adams held to just three points in eight minutes of play
Geo Chiu’s Ehime Orange Vikings also suffered a pair of losses at the hands of Bambitious Nara at Imabari Municipal Central Gymnasium
He had three points and four rebounds in Ehime’s 90-59 loss on Friday before also chiming in three points
and one steal in the Orange Vikings’ 79-66 defeat on Saturday
Kai Sotto and the Koshigaya Alphas go for more as they are back on the road in the ongoing B.LEAGUE season
The Koshigaya Alphas head back on the road as they take on the Akita Northern Happinets on October 23 in their ongoing 2024-25 B.LEAGUE campaign
Koshigaya comes off a split series against the Shimane Susanoo Magic over the weekend
where the Alphas secured their first-ever B1 victory
Koshigaya holds a 1-5 record entering this matchup
Kai Sotto was instrumental in Koshigaya's historic win
[Related: Kai Sotto posts another double-double as Koshigaya Alphas earn first-ever B1 win]
The towering center has been a consistent force for the Alphas
averaging 13.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per game—leading his team in the rebounding department
Akita comes into the game with a 3-3 record
looking to capitalize on Koshigaya's struggles this season
But with Sotto’s growing presence and the Alphas seeking momentum
the matchup promises to be another test for the newly-promoted Koshigaya squad as they continue to adjust to the top-tier B1 competition
Filipino hoopers in the Japan B.LEAGUE showcased their skills with standout performances
Filipino hoopers in Japan’s B.LEAGUE delivered notable performances on Saturday
showcasing their talent despite mixed results for their respective teams.
coming off a three-game winning streak with Levanga Hokkaido
delivered an impressive 21-point performance along with three rebounds and one assist.
Hokkaido ran into a red-hot San-en NeoPhoenix team and suffered a 78-102 defeat
Ramos' scoring spark was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise challenging game for his squad
was back in action for the Koshigaya Alphas after a one-game suspension
The 7-foot-3 big man was ejected in Koshigaya’s match versus San-en last December 15 after clashing with import Nyika Williams
leading to his suspension and a 50,000 yen fine
Sotto posted a strong stat line of 20 points
but his efforts weren’t enough to overcome the Kyoto Hannaryz
Kiefer Ravena of the Yokohama B-Corsairs contributed 15 points
and four assists in a nail-biting 79-80 loss to defending champion Hiroshima Dragonflies.
Ravena's effort kept Yokohama competitive until the final moments
but the team fell just short in the closely-contested matchup
and Osaka Evessa secured a commanding 88-76 victory over the powerhouse Chiba Jets.
Parks had a balanced outing with seven points
providing solid support as Osaka pulled off the upset
and two assists in 22 minutes of action in the Nagasaki Velca's 91-75 rout of the Ibaraki Robots
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National Report
Booming inbound tourism and another blistering summer combined to send rice retail prices skyrocketing at supermarkets across Japan
causing myriad problems for households that rely on the food staple
“I can’t buy rice at this price,” a woman in her 70s muttered as she walked away from the rice section at a supermarket in Koshigaya
The shelves at the Super Marusan’s Koshigaya-hanata store were almost stripped bare of 10-kilogram bags of rice
Only a small number of 5-kg packages remained
The shelves that used to hold 10-kg bags of rice were now stocked with 2-kg bags
“People must be hoarding,” said a 69-year-old man as he pondered the shortage of 10-kg packages
After comparing the prices of rice on the shelves
“I better not buy now because it will be too expensive.”
noted that the purchase price of rice has increased sharply since last year
forcing the store to raise the price of a variety that was selling for 1,480 yen ($10.20) for 5 kg
the store has begun selling California rice
which is about 1,000 yen cheaper than domestically produced grain
“I’d really like to make (California rice) a centerpiece of the store’s bargain sale
but that’s not going to happen,” Yagi said
there are growing calls to set “purchase limits” on rice
which is headquartered in Yokohama and operates supermarkets in the Kanto region
began limiting rice purchases to 10 kg per family or group per day
have also imposed restrictions on the number of rice packages purchased per family
demand for rice is dropping off compared to the past,” a farm ministry official noted
“New rice should be hitting the market in August
so there should be no problem with supply and demand.”
president of long-established rice specialty store Morita-ya in Tokyo’s Suginami Ward
said: “The ministry says there is no problem with inventory
but the people who sell the rice do not feel this way
The burden is on the rice dealers at the end of the line.”
Rice stocks in the Morita-ya store are only about one-third of what they were in previous years
The purchase price for additional rice is 22,000 yen per 60 kg
Although new rice will start arriving soon
the purchase price is expected to be higher than usual
when a record-breaking cold summer caused what are known as the “Rice riots of the Heisei Era,” the store could not obtain rice from wholesalers
so the store was closed temporarily while someone traveled to the Tohoku region to expand the company’s supplier base
so we will continue to purchase rice even if prices are high,” Morita said
the store has seen customers from outside Tokyo
saying they planned to send it to relatives or are buying for other family members
the store has set a limit of 5 kg per person
Customers have been OK with the restriction and are buying because rice is in short supply right now
“But will they continue to buy?” Morita wondered
I’m worried about the stable supply of new rice.”
Last year’s heat wave and an influx in foreign visitor numbers to Japan are seen as the underlying causes of the rice shortage
the quality of rice deteriorated in 2023 due to nationwide heat wave and drought
resulting in “cloudy” rice and cracked grain
Private-sector inventories of staple rice held by agricultural cooperatives and wholesalers totaled 1.56 million tons at the end of June this year
down 410,000 tons from the same period last year
Surging visitor numbers from overseas have also contributed to the increase in rice consumption
A national association of rice merchants comprising 2,000 or so rice stores and related entities nationwide
found that 85 percent of respondents in a survey it carried out from April to May this year were purchasing less rice or were unable to purchase more rice
More than half of the respondents said the purchase price per 60 kg was more than 3,000 yen higher than the same period of the previous year
Rice harvesting in areas with high yields will begin around the end of August
the price of new rice is indexed to the most recently traded price
Even after the new rice reaches the market
supply will not catch up with demand until around the fall
“The situation will change greatly depending on how this year’s harvest turns out,” said a representative of the association
“We will have to see how far consumers will go to keep up with the high prices.”
a specially-appointed professor of agricultural economics at the University of Tokyo
agrees with the ministry that the main factors are “the decline in rice quality due to the extremely hot summer and the supply-demand crunch caused by the rapid increase in the number of foreign visitors to Japan.”
But Suzuki also points to a long-term policy failings
“The central government has adopted a policy of reducing the number of rice paddies by
citing excessive rice stocks and future declining demand
the farming industry has been exhausted to breaking point.”
He called on the government “to think of ways to ensure that agriculture can continue
Fukushima farm products still dealing with negative image
Consumers avoid rising costs by buying ‘expired’ food at discount
vegetables find a place at the table via internet sales
Japan warms to frozen foods as pandemic keeps many at home
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Kai Sotto appeared to hurt his ankle in the third quarter of Koshigaya's win over AJ Edu and Nagasaki Velca in Japan's B.LEAGUE
Kai Sotto won his first head-to-head showdown against AJ Edu in Japan’s B.LEAGUE
Sotto appeared to tweak his left ankle late in the third quarter of what would be an 80-67 home win for the Koshigaya Alphas over the Nagasaki Velca Wednesday
Kai was seen on the floor holding on to his left ankle after Ryoma Hashimoto made a three with 58.7 seconds left in the third
The replay on the broadcast didn’t exactly catch Sotto’s moment of injury
but Sotto didn’t hurt his ankle on a rebound play
instead on the way back to the other end for defense
Sotto already played 24 minutes and was good for 13 points
The game against Nagasaki was Kai’s first matchup against longtime Gilas Pilipinas teammate AJ Edu
It was only Koshigaya’s second win of the season
not far from Koshigaya Station on the Tobu Isekai Line
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By Kenichi Osuga / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer
which were formerly merchants’ houses and warehouses
retain the Edo period (1603-1868) atmosphere of the city from when it prospered as a post station town
The former warehouse has a unique exterior
with ferro-concrete walls showing a long history and a roof thatched with verdigris-covered copper tiles
A business producing and selling miso established in the late Edo period built the warehouse in the early years of the Showa era (1926-1989)
after the miso maker shuttered its business in 1958
the warehouse remained vacant for about 60 years
The citizens group Kyu-Nikko Kaido Koshigaya-shuku wo Kangaeru Kai (“Old Nikko Kaido road Koshigaya interest association”)
which has made efforts to preserve the historical scenery around the former post station
plays a leading role in utilizing old buildings in Koshigaya
the former warehouse was refurbished into today’s structure
where a privately-run library and a cafe offering different services daily operates
Visitors may initially be surprised by the very thick entrance door when visiting Kojiya Kura
The metallic door uses a dial lock of the kind also found on bank vaults
and bricks are apparently packed inside the door to make it highly fire safe
These features help visitors understand the historic purpose of the building
which was to store valuables and account books
are stocked in the library on the first floor
The floor is furnished with wooden chairs for visitors to sit down and read for as long as they wish
Visitors can also enjoy reading while sipping coffee bought from the neighboring cafe
brought books that were gathering dust at home to Kojiya Kura
“This has become a place where strangers who come to read books begin chatting and interact,” she said
The second floor is used as a multipurpose space
where classes for needlework and yoga are held
The miniature Chidori-uchiwa fans displayed as ornaments are made by students of the classes
The fans are traditional craftworks produced in Koshigaya
and they create a refreshingly cool atmosphere
Sets of Hina-ningyo dolls donated by local residents are also on display
giving the space an antique Japanese aesthetic
“Old buildings have the power to make people feel nostalgic and draw them here
I want to use this building with care so that I can welcome in as many people as possible,” Toda said
Access: 15-minute walk from the east exit of Koshigaya Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line
Hours: Privately-run library and cafe are open from 10:30 a.m
On the second and fourth Wednesdays every month
another owner operates the cafe from 11 a.m
Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting
© 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun
KAI Sotto's impressive season so far in the Japan B.League hit pause on Sunday when he suffered a left knee injury in the Koshigaya Alphas' 79-77 loss to the Mikawa Sea Horses
The 7-3 Gilas Pilipinas center was making a move at the low post with barely six minutes gone in the game when he buckled under his own weight
The in-form center stayed on the floor writhing in pain as play was stopped and was assisted out of the court minutes later
Although he never returned to action, Sotto was back on the bench to watch the remainder of the match
Still, the injury scare comes at time when the Filipino center is enjoying his most dominant B.League season yet with double-double averages for the Alphas
He ranks second in the entire league in rebounding with a 10 per game average to go with his 14.5 points and 1.2 blocks
the Alphas are just five rungs above the bottom of the B.League top flight with eight wins to show against 20 losses
On a five-game double-digit scoring streak
Ray Parks and the Osaka Evessa battle fellow skidding team Koshigaya Alphas--minus Kai Sotto
After a tough winless weekend against the league leaders San-en NeoPhoenix
and Osaka Evessa are determined to snap their two-game losing skid by battling the Koshigaya Alphas in the 2024-25 Japan B.League season
Parks remains a consistent force for Osaka
riding a five-game double-digit scoring streak
the Filipino star continued to put up a decent offensive showing.
The 31-year-old lefty logged 12 and 18 points in their recent losses to against the surging NeoPhoenix squad.
This matchup would have marked another anticipated clash between Parks and fellow Asian Quota player Kai Sotto
but the Koshigaya Alphas big man is out for the season due to an ACL injury.
[ALSO READ: Kai Sotto undergoes successful ACL surgery, gets support from girlfriend Rere Madrid]
Kai Sotto posted his fourth double-double of the season
while also tying his career-high in blocks as the Alphas endure another frustrating B1 loss
Kai Sotto continues his strong performances for the Koshigaya Alphas to start the new Japan B.LEAGUE season
The 7-foot-2 center finished with a double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds
to go along with a career-high tying four blocks for the Alphas Wednesday
it came in a 69-78 loss to the Akita Northern Happinets
[ALSO READ: Kai Sotto posts another double-double as Koshigaya Alphas earn first-ever B1 win]
Koshigaya looked poised to take road the victory after limiting Akita to just six points in the third quarter
it was the Happinets’ turn to frustrate the Alphas
limiting Sotto and his squad to just 11 points to turn the game around
Tanner Leissner and Yannis Morin combined for 31 points in the win
Koshigaya continues to navigate a tough first season in the B1
This is despite Sotto’s outstanding performances for the team
accumulating four double-doubles in the first seven games
[ALSO READ: Kai Sotto looks to continue solid FIBA OQT form with Koshigaya Alphas in Japan B.League]
Kiefer Ravena and the Yokohama B-Corsairs were also dealt with a stinging loss after falling to the SeaHorses Mikawa
and five assists in 26 minutes of action as Yokohama now sits around the middle of the pack with a 3-4 record after back-to-back defeats
[ALSO READ: Kiefer Ravena's next challenge? Hold the fort in Yokohama without Yuki Kawamura]
Sotto and the rest of the Alphas will look to turn their season around right away as they go up against the Sendai 89ers on Saturday
while Ravena and the B-Corsairs face the Shiga Lakes also on the same day
Kai Sotto impressed many fans during Gilas Pilipinas' commendable run in the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga
As the 2024-2025 Japan B.League season approaches
Filipino big man Kai Sotto is eager to carry the momentum from a stellar performance at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) towards his new stint with the Koshigaya Alphas
Sotto’s performance at the OQT showcased his potential on an international stage
He delivered a standout game against then-world no
a setback in his next match against Georgia
This injury forced him to miss the semifinal match against Brazil
where Gilas Pilipinas suffered a close 60-71 defeat
Sotto emphasized the confidence gained during the FIBA tournament
“I just have to continue working; the confidence I gained from the past OQT really helped me a lot coming into this season,” Sotto said during the Japan B.League’s 2024-25 Season Tip-off Conference
“I have a big responsibility in this team this year
The 7-foot-3 Sotto signed with Koshigaya following a breakout year with the Yokohama B-Corsairs
Sotto joins the Alphas as they make their highly anticipated B1 debut after finishing second in the B2 division last year
[ALSO READ: First look: Kai Sotto with the Koshigaya Alphas in Japan's B.League]
The team has set its sights on making a strong impression in the top tier
Having spent over a month training and playing with his new team
though he admits that they need to improve further as a unit
and we're still not in our best shape yet,” Sotto bared
“We still have to work on our chemistry and everything
We still got time before the season starts
[ALSO READ: Why are Japan B.League stars Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos, and AJ Edu against the PBA’s 4-point shot?]
Koshigaya will kick off the season on the road against the Alvark Tokyo on October 5
followed by their first home game as a B1 team against the Ryukyu Golden Kings on October 12
Philippines – In a highly anticipated first matchup between two Gilas Pilipinas big men in the Japan B
Kai Sotto and the Koshigaya Alphas prevailed over AJ Edu and the Nagasaki Velca
at the Koshigaya City Gymnasium on Wednesday
Sotto delivered an all-around performance of 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting
and 4 blocks to help Koshigaya (2-10) snap its six-game skid
and 1 block for Nagasaki (6-6) in the losing effort.
Sotto suffered an apparent left ankle injury with 58.7 seconds to go in the third quarter while running back on defense after his teammate Ryoma Hashimoto hit a three-pointer to put Koshigaya up
Sotto was able to walk off the floor after the injury
but the towering 7-foot-3 center did not return the rest of the game as Koshigaya cruised to victory
Both Sotto and Edu are expected to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas in their upcoming two-game home stand in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers against New Zealand on November 21 and Hong Kong on November 24
the Levanga Hokkaido picked up their third straight victory with Dwight Ramos back in the fold as they outlasted the Sendai 89ers in overtime
Ramos — who recently returned from injury — continued his string of double-digit scoring performances as he finished with 11 points on 4-of-9 field goal clip
Kiefer Ravena’s Yokohama B-Corsairs (5-7) and Ray Parks’s Osaka Evessa (6-6) absorbed twin narrow losses on Wednesday.
and 1 steal in Yokohama’s 80-77 setback against the Alvark Tokyo at the Yokohama International Pool.
Ravena scored all his 13 points in the fourth quarter
including a tough fadeaway trey with only 0.8 seconds left to pull Yokohama within one
too late for Ravena and the rest of the B-Corsairs as Tokyo’s Kai Toews quickly iced the game with two free throws with just 0.6 ticks remaining.
and 1 steal in Osaka’s 93-91 defeat at the hands of the Hiroshima Dragonflies at the Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall.
Matthew Wright was held scoreless in the Kawasaki Brave Thunders’ 112-89 loss to the San-En NeoPhoenix at the Toyohashi City Gymnasium.
Wright missed all his four attempts from the field and came up with only 2 rebounds and 1 assist for Kawasaki (3-9) in the lopsided defeat
CHICAGO - Kai Sotto is moving on to the next chapter of his storied basketball career
As reported by Basketnews.com, SPIN.ph has confirmed through multiple sources that the 7-foot-3 center already has a deal in place to play for the Koshigaya Alphas of the Japan B.League
Sotto's camp was mum on the terms of the deal
saying only that the team "will run it and give out the details to the press."
Described by a former high-ranking B.League official as "the most popular Asian import," in Japan
Sotto commanded multiple offers that ranged between a low of $600,000 to a high of $880,000 a year
Joining the Alphas checks so many boxes for the 22-year old wunderkind
Koshigaya's two bigs - 6-foot-10 Gary Hamilton and 6-foot-11 Justin Harper - are aged 34 and 39
allowing Kai to infuse young blood in the middle where he figures to log substantial playing time
The Alphas earned promotion from Division 2 to the B.League top flight last season while being led by a dynamic 5-foot-9 point guard in Shun Matsuyama
who averaged 16 points and 4.5 assists per this past campaign
In his 34-game stint with the Yokohama B-Corsairs last season
6.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocked shots per game while playing alongside point guard Yuki Kawamura who was honored among the Best Five players in the B.League top flight
The hope is that Sotto's performance will continue to prosper with Matsuyama as his point guard
Kai's upcoming tenure at Koshigaya is believed to be in the two or three-year window and the expectation is that the former Ateneo high school star will have either an opt-out or a buyout-friendly deal
This strategic move allows Sotto to bank some money while still keeping the doors open to pursue his NBA dream
A second consecutive stint in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas appears increasingly unlikely now that Sotto's focus and priorities have pivoted towards Gilas Pilipinas' upcoming Olympic Qualifying Tournament games in Latvia on July 3 and 4
a dominant showing versus Latvia and Georgia could potentially earn Kai an invite to this year's 10-day Summer League which begins on July 12
allowing enough time for travel and some practice time with whichever team he may be rostered with
Already averaging a robust 4,583 fans a game
up from 3,469 last season according to Kyodo News
the Japan B.League is about to get more popular with the expected arrival of homegrown star Yuta Watanabe
A legit talent with five-year NBA experience
Watananbe has declined a $2.6 million option to stay with the Phoenix Suns for the 2024-25 season
who averaged 4.2 points and 2.3 rebounds in 213 NBA games has reportedly chosen to ball with the Chiba Jets for a deal that is rumored to be worth millions of yen
Kai Sotto scored a season-high 22 points to help the Koshigaya Alphas to their fist-ever Division 1 win in the B.LEAGUE
Kai Sotto delivered a commanding performance as the Koshigaya Alphas earned their first-ever B1 win with an 88-81 home victory over the Shimane Susanoo Magic Saturday
Sotto was instrumental in breaking Koshigaya’s four-game losing skid
Sotto’s impact was especially felt in the second half, where he scored 15 of his points, including nine in the third quarter, during which the Alphas outscored Shimane 24-9 to take control of the game.
Kai’s performance also marked his third consecutive double-double this B.LEAGUE season.
L.J. Peak led Koshigaya in scoring with 24 points, while Shimane’s Coty Clarke was the game’s top scorer with 31 points.
The Alphas’ second-half stand with Sotto’s presence helped hold off the Magic, who entered the contest with a perfect 4-0 record.
The victory gives Koshigaya a much-needed boost as the Alphas seek to build momentum in their debut B1 campaign, while Sotto’s continued strong play cements his role as a key figure for the team.
[Editor's note: This article was generated by a member of the One Sports Digital team using AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]
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Kai Sotto will miss some time from the basketball court as he recovers from his ACL injury, dealing a huge blow to not only the Koshigaya Alphas but also for Gilas Pilipinas.
Kai Sotto confirmed his ACL tear during the Koshigaya Alphas’ narrow 77-79 loss to the Seahorse Mikawa last January 5 in Japan's B.LEAGUE.
The injury occurred early in the first quarter when Sotto attempted a shot in the paint but fell awkwardly, with his left knee bending unnaturally.
The 7-foot-3 center was stretchered off the court and did not return to the game, although he later joined his team on the bench.
In an Instagram post, Sotto described the news as the "darkest day" of his basketball career.
“The worst way to start the year, might be the darkest day of my basketball career, when I was told I tore my ACL. 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,” Sotto wrote in his post.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kai Zachary Sotto 🇵🇭 (@kzsotto)
Sotto had been having a solid season with the Alphas, averaging a near double-double of 13.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.1 blocks per outing. His points, rebounds, and assists numbers are all career-highs.
The injury marks a significant blow to his season with the Alphas as well as Gilas Pilipinas. Sotto is projected to miss at least six months, putting him out of action for the upcoming window for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers in February.
Kai Sotto is back in the B.LEAGUE after Gilas Pilipinas duties, submitting dominant games for the Koshigaya Alphas.
Fresh from another impressive stint with Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, Sotto carried the momentum back to Japan’s B.LEAGUE with the Koshigaya Alphas.
In his first weekend back in the B1, Kai submitted back-to-back 20 point games for the Alphas in a series against FE Nagoya.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by B.LEAGUE (@b.league_en)
Sotto fired 20 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in a 94-90 loss Saturday, only to bounce back with a 101-71 win Sunday.
In the dominant bounce back victory, Kai went for 24 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by B.LEAGUE (@b.league_en)
Playing for Gilas in another perfect window
Sotto had 19 points and 10 rebounds in a historic win against New Zealand
Also returning to the B.LEAGUE after Gilas duties is Dwight Ramos
who scored 21 points in the first game and nine points in the second game for Levanga Hokkaido against defending champion Hiroshima Dragonflies
Kai Sotto is the only player averaging a double-double in the B.LEAGUE's top division
It’s a winning end to the 2024 calendar year for Kai Sotto and the Koshigaya Alphas
The Alphas completed a two-game sweep of Shiga in the 2024-25 Japan B.LEAGUE season
scoring an 88-78 win Monday to cap a year’s schedule in the B1
Koshigaya improved to 8-18 on back-to-back victories
It’s Sotto’s 12th double-double in 24 games so far this season
Kai is the only B1 player averaging a double-double
Reiju Sasakura led the way for the Alphas with 20 points
while Time Soares and Shun Matsuyama were also in double digits with 15 and 12 points
The Lakes got 30 points from Brock Motum in the loss
Kai Sotto and head coach Ryuzo Anzai strengthen their bond as the 7-foot-3 Filipino center is starting to pick up pace again for the Koshigaya Alphas in the B.LEAGUE
Kai Sotto is proving himself as quite an unstoppable force in the Japan B.LEAGUE
The Gilas Pilipinas standout is back to making waves upon his return to Japan
following his latest stint with the national team.
delivering an exceptional performance with 25 points and 18 rebounds
His efforts propelled the Koshigaya Alphas to a commanding 100-74 victory over the Kawasaki Brave Thunders
marking their third consecutive win and improving their record to 6-12 in the Eastern Conference
[ALSO READ: Kai Sotto leads Koshigaya to three straight wins with big double-double]
a proven champion who led the Utsunomiya Brex to the 2022 B1 title
shared high praise for the 7-foot-3 powerhouse
“Kai is an exceptional athlete who moves incredibly well for his height and transitions seamlessly from fakes to dunks,” Anzai said in a post shared by the B.LEAGUE's official accounts
Sotto’s relentless performances highlight his growing dominance and his potential to be a transformative player in international basketball
And the Filipino sensation continues to display his remarkable humility
expressing gratitude to coach Anzai for his unparalleled leadership
Despite the coach's reputation for delivering tough words
Kai firmly believes these moments help forge him into a stronger athlete
they are necessary and important for the players,” Kai shared
underscoring his deep respect for the champion mentor’s impactful approach
Kai Sotto speaks with deep respect for the straightforwardness of his head coach
acknowledging the impact of his direct approach while also admiring the entire coaching staff
“I also appreciate his straightforward approach
but all the coaches are excellent,” he said
Coach Anzai understands his responsibility in helping Kai develop further and is excited to witness his growth
it’s my job to figure out how to develop his skills
I want to see him progress to the next level,” he said
Kai Sotto and the Koshigaya Alphas will continue their B1 campaign
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The Koshigaya Alphas will be Kai Sotto's third team in Japan's B.League after the Hiroshima Dragonflies and the Yokohama B-Corsairs
Kai Sotto is settling in with his new team in the Japan B.League Division 1: the Koshigaya Alphas
Sotto arrived back in Japan last week and was welcomed by the Alphas
his third team in Japan after the Hiroshima Dragonflies and the Yokohama B-Corsairs
Kai has been busy with the team already participating in workouts and a private practice match with the Fukushima Firebonds
The 7’3” Filipino center signed with Koshigaya following a career-year in Japan where he averaged 12.8 points
[Related: B.League: Kai Sotto remains in Japan, joins Koshigaya Alphas for 2024-25 season]
Sotto joins a team that will make their B1 debut following their promotion from the B2 last year
Koshigaya made the jump by finishing in second place in the second division
Koshigaya will open the season on the road against Alvark Tokyo on October 5
while the Alphas first home game as a B1 team will come the next week on October 12 vs
KAI Sotto will ring in the new year on a high as the Koshigaya Alphas capped 2024 on a two-game win streak
sweeping cellar dweller Shiga Lakes this past weekend at Shiga Daihatsu Arena in the Japan B.League season
The Gilas Pilipinas center nabbed a double-double of 16 points
and one assist in their 89-62 victory on Sunday before following it up in the 88-78 triumph on Monday with an 18-point
12-rebound double-double to go with two blocks
Those efforts allowed Koshigaya to rise to 7-18
Matthew Wright also led Kawasaki Brave Thunders to a rare two-game sweep over Ibaraki Robots at Kawasaki Todoroki Arena
The veteran gunner poured 16 points on top of six assists
and one steal in their 82-74 rout on Saturday before erupting for 23 points
and one block in their 89-78 escape on Sunday
That pushed the Brave Thunders to a 6-20 record
Ray Parks had decent contributions for Osaka Evessa in their bounce back win over Akita Northern Happinets at CNA Arena Akita on Sunday
and one steal in their 84-80 win on Sunday to make up for their 85-73 Saturday defeat where he corralled 10 points
The weekend split allowed the Evessa to move up to 14-12
AJ Edu also had meager contributions in Nagasaki Velca’s series split over Sendai 89ers at Kamei Arena Sendai
and an assist in their 79-66 win on Saturday
but saw that six-game win streak snapped with a 76-70 defeat on Sunday
That kept the Velca on an even 13-13 record to end the calendar year
wins eluded Kiefer Ravena and Dwight Ramos to end the year
Ravena’s Yokohama B-Corsairs fell to San-En NeoPhoenix at Toyohashi City General Gymnasium
and two steals in their slim 84-80 loss on Saturday
before collecting seven points and four assists in their 87-72 loss on Sunday
That dropped the B-Corsairs to a 9-17 card
Ramos’ Levanga Hokkaido was sent to their fourth consecutive loss by a SeaHorses Mikawa weekend sweep at Es Con Field Hokkaido
the charismatic guard only nabbed four points
and two assists in a tough 75-74 loss on Sunday to drop to 9-17
MANILA, Philippines – After a stellar run with Gilas Pilipinas in the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, Kai Sotto showed no signs of slowing down as he delivered a pair of high-scoring performances for the Koshigaya Alphas in the Japan B
In Koshigaya’s first game back following the B
League’s three-week FIBA break last Saturday
Sotto shot a near-perfect 7-of-8 clip from the field to finish with 20 points
and 2 blocks in a tight 94-90 loss to the Fighting Eagles Nagoya
Looking to avoid a weekend sweep at the hands of Nagoya
Sotto then erupted for a team-high 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting
and 1 block as Koshigaya scored a convincing 101-71 payback win on Sunday
Gilas Pilipinas hotshot Dwight Ramos announced his return to the B
League in style as he went off for a team-best 21 points on 9-of-18 shooting
and 1 block in the Levanga Hokkaido’s 84-65 loss to the Hiroshima Dragonflies on Saturday
Ramos – who sat out the Philippines’ 93-54 rout of Hong Kong last November 24 due to a minor calf injury – followed up his 21-point showing with 9 markers
and 1 steal in another 87-74 setback to the same opponents the next day
Former Gilas Pilipinas guard Ray Parks likewise made his presence felt for his B1 squad Osaka Evessa over the weekend
After falling one point short of a double-double with 9 points
and 1 steal in Osaka’s 82-77 win over the Ibaraki Robots on Saturday
Parks sizzled for 20 points on 6-of-12 shooting
and 3 assists on Sunday as the Evessa repeated with a 74-71 victory
both Matthew Wright’s Kawasaki Brave Thunders and Kiefer Ravena’s Yokohama B-Corsairs suffered twin blowout losses
and 1 steal in Kawasaki’s 88-66 Saturday loss to the Alvark Tokyo
and 1 steal in the Brave Thunders’ 80-62 defeat on Sunday
2 steals in Yokohama’s 84-67 beating at the hands of the Seahorses Mikawa on Saturday
and 1 steal in an 83-65 setback the following day
After once again missing Gilas Pilipinas’ recent campaign due to a knee injury, AJ Edu suited up for his B1 club Nagasaki Velca on Sunday
but was held to just 2 points on 1-of-2 shooting
and 1 block as they proved no match for the Saga Ballooners
They will join forces with other Asian Quota Imports in the B
League Asia All-Stars squad as they face off with the B
the Asia All-Stars emerged victorious against the Rising Stars
with Gilas Pilipinas forward and former Ryukyu Golden Kings Asian import Carl Tamayo showing the way with 18 points
A tough start to the weekend for Pinoy hoopers in Division 1 of the B.LEAGUE
with Kiefer Ravena being the only player posting a win
Pinoy imports Kiefer Ravena and AJ Edu went head-to-head in a tightly-contested B.LEAGUE matchup as the Yokohama B-Corsairs edged the Nagasaki Velca
and grabbing two rebounds to push Yokohama to victory
showcased his all-around game for Nagasaki and finished with nine points
Yokohama improved to 10-17 for 17th in the standings
while Nagasaki remains at 14th with a 13-14 record
Kai Sotto had a productive outing for the Koshigaya Alphas
his efforts weren’t enough to lift his team as the Alphas suffered a lopsided 54-89 defeat to the SeaHorses Mikawa
Koshigaya dropped to an 8-19 record for 20th in the standings
[ALSO READ: Gilas bigs Kai Sotto, AJ Edu listed among Japan B.League stats leaders entering 2025]
and three assists for the Kawasaki Brave Thunders
but Kawasaki struggled offensively in a 61-82 loss to the Sendai 89ers
Dwight Ramos endured a quiet game for Levanga Hokkaido
scoring just one point in 12 minutes as his team lost to the powerhouse Chiba Jets
[NEXT: Dwight Ramos named Asia All-Stars team captain anew in 2025 B.League All-Star Weekend]