Sotto returns to Japan, signs deal with Altiri Chiba

Manila Times - Sep 24, 2026

Kai Sotto will be returning for another season in Japan after signing with new team Altiri Chiba. The Chiba squad welcomed the 7-foot-3 Sotto through its official announcement on its website on Thursday. “I'm looking forward to joining the club Altiri Chiba. I'm very excited to meet the team, Coach Andrej [Lemanis], the staff, my teammates, and the fans!” Sotto said in a statement posted on the Chiba website.  Sotto was coming off a stint with the Koshigaya Alphas in the Japan B.League 2025-26 season, where he averaged 13.1 points and 9.4 rebounds, as he made a successful return from a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury on his knee. The left-handed Filipino is fresh off a return stint with Gilas Pilipinas, where he averaged 15.5 points, 15 rebounds and 2.0 asssists as the Philippines scored a two-game home sweep against Jordan and Iran in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers fourth window in Manila. Sotto will be making his much-debut with Chiba on Oct. 3 against the Kawasaki Brave Thunders, with the Japanese squad hoping to improve on its 19-win effort from the previous season. “I'll do everything I can to help this team win and achieve great things this season,” he added. Altiri CEO and...

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