Kai stays glued to Orlando bench

MANILA, Philippines — The waiting game continues for Filipino NBA hope Kai Sotto.

For the second straight game, Sotto was stuck on the bench as the Orlando Magic fell to the Indiana Pacers, 108-85, in the NBA Summer League yesterday at the Thomas and Mack Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

From 10 players in the first game against the Detroit Pistons, coach Dylan Murphy expanded his rotation to 11, but still without the 7-foot-3 Filipino sensation.

Sotto, 21, is the tallest in the Magic’s 22-man roster for the Summer League. He’s one of only three centers in Orlando’s unit.

Without Sotto, veterans DJ Wilson and Robert Baker once again manned the Magic frontline. Wilson had 10 points, eight rebounds and five blocks in 27 minutes while Baker posted 10 points and five rebounds.

Sophomore Caleb Houstan led Orlando with 18 points and five rebounds. Top rookies Jett Howard (No. 11 pick) and Anthony Black (No. 6 pick) had 10 and eight points, respectively.

Second-year players Andrew Nembhard (21) and Benedict Mathurin (17) headlined the Pacers’ blowout win for a 2-0 card after beating the Washington Wizards, 91-83.

Over the weekend, Sotto also logged a DNP-CD (Did not play – Coach’s Decision) in the Magic’s 89-78 loss to the Pistons.

Sotto’s non-appearance, even only for a minute, disappointed Filipino fans who trooped to Las Vegas to support the Pinoy pride. Chants of “We want Sotto!” erupted inside the venue to no avail.

Orlando, now 0-2, has Portland next on its plate tomorrow before battling New York on Friday.

Vying to prove his worth and earn a contract to become the first Filipino homegrown player in the NBA, Sotto could only hope that third time’s a charm.

Meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama’s first, and likely last, Summer League is over.

The San Antonio Spurs said Monday that they have seen all they needed from the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft and won’t play him during their remaining games in Las Vegas.