By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Kai Sotto continued to deflate as a starter as the Adelaide 36ers were dealt with a harrowing 112-97 defeat by Perth Wildcats in the 2022-2023 National Basketball League (NBL) Season at the RAC Arena on Saturday night, January 14.

The 7-foot-3 Sotto was held to just four points on 2-of-6 shooting, on top of two rebounds and two blocks in just 10 minutes as the 36ers slumped to its third straight defeat.

Sotto became a starter for the 36ers squad since last year, but the former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eaglets center had a subpar showing in the last two games.

The Wildcats were blazing against the slumping 36ers as they jumped to a quick double-digit lead that went up to 32-17 after the first 10 minutes of the contest.

It was all downhill from there for Sotto and the 36ers as they trailed by as many as 32 points, 89-57, late in the third frame before converting some shots in the fourth to trim the final score.

Three-point shooting became the source of points for the home team Wildcats against the 36ers as they connected on 15 of their 27 attempts from rainbow territory.

Brady Manek spearheaded the offense for the Wildcats with 23 points, built on six outside conversions, to go with 10 rebounds and two assists.

Former NBA player Bryce Cotton added 23 points, five boards and four assists, while Corey Webster and Tashawn Thomas both scored 17 each in the Wildcats win.

Robert Franks paced Adelade with 25 points on five three-pointers, five rebounds and three assists, as Antonius Cleveland got 23 points, six boards and four dimes as they dropped to 11-12.

Sotto and the 36ers will try to stop their three-game losing skid as they face the Brisbane Bullets on Thursday afternoon, January 19./ASC, WDJ