LAS VEGAS - At 8:30 a.m. tomorrow (Manila time), the Orlando Magic resume their NBA Summer League play when they take on the Indiana Pacers at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Fresh from his DNP two days ago versus the Detroit Pistons, 7-foot-3 center Kai Sotto is in "good spirits" and prepared to handle "whatever lies ahead," Sotto's camp told me.
"Summer League is about opportunity, teams play different rotations to get everyone a look. Being a pro is being ready when your name is called," Tony Ronzone of Wasserman Sports said.
READ: Magic coach says Kai 'will definitely get his minutes'
For those who wailed about the sleepy, weepy inconveniences they went through by waking up early and tweaking their daily routine last Sunday, consider yourselves warned.
There is no guarantee that Kai gets off the bench.
"We'll play that by ear," Magic coach Dylan Murphy replied when SPIN.ph asked him if Sotto will see action.
Which is okay.
What shouldn't be forgotten here is that the relationship Kai has with the Magic is an engagement, not yet a marriage. It's a promise, not a commitment. This an audition and the Magic determines when Kai can get up the stage.
To those who continue to bash Kai and rudely dismiss his NBA journey, I have this to say.
Eff your feelings. Eff your uninformed opinions.
I must admit that being there in the venue when the DNP materialized, I felt uncomfortable, sad, and ultimately, pained.

But that's just me. Can you imagine what Kai himself felt watching those seconds tick after all the work he had invested in three NBA mini camps and practices with the Magic, not to mention all the travel around the United States?
Not only that, his parents and sister were in the stands, traveling halfway across the globe to root for Kai. Imagine their sadness,too.
Hate can be transported digitally these days, it's easy and convenient. What's even easier is to stomp on someone else's garden when your own life doesn't have flowers.
But here's rooting for Kai, hoping and praying his time will come. If not, then it's fine,too.
Dreams are elusive, hard to turn to reality. That's why we chase them.
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