Sotto was in the zone for a total of 10 minutes which enabled him to bolster 1 point, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks.

Despite the loss, Adelaide coach CJ Bruton was impressed with Sotto’s debut performance.

“I thought his effort was good. He competed and battled,” coach Bruton said with the fact that the 7-foot-3 center missed Adelaide’s first four games due to knee soreness.

“He’s got some work to do, it’s not like he’s got some runs since that first preseason game so we’re definitely managing him and not give him too many minutes as early as we want him for the whole season. I’m sure that you’re gonna see bigger and better things out of him the more he gets comfortable playing,” he added.

Cairns was gunned by Majok Deng who scored 23 points and 7 rebounds, followed by Stephen Zimmerman 18 boards.

The Scores:

Cairns 93 – Deng 23, Zimmerman 18, Pinder 15, McCall 13, Kuol 8, Jawai 6, Noi 5, Kenny 5, Heath 0. 

Adelaide 67 – Hannahs 20, Humphries 12, Johnson 12, Withers 8, Dufelheimer 4, Bairstow 4, McCarron 3, Malou 3, Sotto 1, King 0, Marshall 0, Harris 0.