KAI Sotto said his back tightened in the first half of the Orlando Magic's final Summer League game against the Boston Celtics, forcing him to leave before halftime, never to return on Sunday.
"Sa akin, kapag kaya ko naman maglaro, linalaro ko naman. pero kanina nag-tighten na sya, at nag-spasm na," said Sotto as soon as he walked out of the dugout after the game, wearing a back support.
READ: Kai Sotto leaves final Magic game early due to back pain
"Matagal ko na rin iniinda to, Japan pa ko. Pero nagpa-check ako sa doctor, wala naman," he added.
The 7-3 center wrapped up his maiden Summer League stint with a 0-for-3 performance on the floor with two rebounds, an assist, one block and two turnovers in 8:09 minutes in the Magic's 94-77 loss to the Celtics on Sunday.
He left the game with less than five minutes remaining in the first half and never returned due to what the team described as 'lower back pain.'
Sotto, 21, said he has been dealing with the back issue since his stint with the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the Japan B.League.
"Madalas kapag tumagal (naglalaro sumasakit), kapag tumigil nag-stop adrenaline, nawawala. Walang specific play, meron lang specific movements na nagaalangan ako," Sotto told reporters after the game.
"Siguro nag-build up lang simula kanina. Pero ako kung kaya, kahit gaano kasakit, linalaro ko naman. Lalo na andito ako, di ko talaga sasayangin ang chance na makalaro. Di ako gagawa ng excuse, pero kanina di ko talaga kinaya."
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