Koshigaya Alphas young star Kai Sotto during the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Final 4. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — Kai Sotto’s Koshigaya Alphas have officially ended their 2024-25 campaign in the Japan B.League.

Koshigaya finished with a 19-41 record, enough for No.20 after the regular season, and this was despite missing their young star in Sotto who has sat since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear on his left knee last January 6.

They were at 8-20 during that point, and they only won 11 more after that incident.

Despite this, the Filipino big man had nothing but positive thoughts as he reflected on his first season in Japan.

“I want to thank God for this year of basketball,” the Las Piñas City native wrote in a social media post on Monday. “Only played half of the season because of my ACL injury, but still had so many memorable moments.”

Before his injury, Sotto was putting up 13.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.2 points for Koshigaya.

And while his ACL tear — which was said to have been repaired last February 1 according to his Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone — halted his impressive showing in Japan, Sotto remains optimistic that he can successfully bounce back from this setback.

READ: After ACL tear, Kai Sotto expected to go under the knife on Feb 1, says Cone

“First time in my professional career where I felt like I could be myself and play my game, and everyone around me helped and gave me confidence,” he said.

“To the Alphas fans, you guys have been there from start to finish. From me playing on the court, to sitting on the sidelines cheering for my teammates, the fans never changed the way they loved and supported me.”

“This season, I felt I was getting to that next big step, but I hit a big road bump. But it won't stop me from working because I know God has a better plan for me,” Sotto furthered. “The journey continues.”

The former Ateneo de Manila University high school star is currently in the country and even watched the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Final 4 games last Saturday.