Filipino center Kai Sotto failed to see action on the floor for the second consecutive game during the Orlando Magic's 108-85 loss against the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas on Monday night.
Fans from the basketball-crazy nation were anticipating their compatriot to step on the floor of Thomas & Mack Center to no avail.
Several posts from the Orlando Magic's Facebook page were flooded with "angry" and "laugh" reactions, with many comments being hashtagged #LetKaiPlay.
Filipino fans taunted the team by commenting, "Congrats Indiana Pacers," on the Magic's post of the result of their latest Summer League game.
Sotto also did not feature during the Magic's first Summer League game in Vegas, an 89-78 loss to the Detroit Pistons last Saturday, and the furious fans from the Philippines started reacting then.
The Magic will face the New York Knicks on Wednesday and the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday.
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Kai Sotto gets benched, Filipino fans react
Sotto's DNP-CD (Did Not Play - Coach's Decision) for two straight games did not sit well with many fans from the Southeast Asian nation, who are known to be passionate lovers of the game.
User @johncastilloph emphasized that Sotto's height could help the Magic's undersized frontcourt, which was dominated by the Pacers' bigs.
I really don't get it. Not that Kai Sotto is a superstar waiting to be called, but Orlando obviously lack size and they cannot simply space the floor. Black is a good PG and I don't see why it won't benefit Kai's height. Sotto for sure is not a superhero, but Magic needs height!
— John Castillo (@johnccastilloph) July 11, 2023
Some fans accused the Magic of using the 7-foot-3 center for social media engagement.
Orlando Magic, how dare you use Kai Sotto for clout how dare you hope you never win a championship in 100 years
— Derick D (@jeazous) July 11, 2023
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