Kai Sotto and Koshigaya Alphas head coach Ryuzo Anzai are in the Philippines, taking the chance to meet Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ fiery mentor in Yeng Guiao.
Look who’s back in town.
Kai Sotto reposted an Instagram Story on Saturday of him alongside his Koshigaya Alphas head coach Ryuzo Anzai and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters counterpart Yeng Guiao.
Also in the snap are Elasto Painters assistant coach and head of basketball operations Caloy Garcia, as well as Kai’s father, former PBA player Ervin Sotto.
The Kaiju's return to the Philippines and link up with Rain or Shine came a day after it was announced that he was staying with the Alphas for the 2025-26 Japan B.LEAGUE season.
[ALSO READ: Kai Sotto re-signs with Koshigaya Alphas for 2025–26 Japan B.League season]
Sotto’s first season with Koshigaya was cut short due to an ACL injury he sustained last January. Before going down, the 7-foot-3 Filipino big man averaged 13.8 points and 9.5 rebounds in 26 games.
Meanwhile, Japan’s top-flight basketball league will also be in town for the “B.LEAGUE Final Week in Manila 2025” happening from May 22 to 25.
Filipino Asian Quota imports Ray Parks Jr. (Osaka Evessa), Matthew Wright (Kawasaki Brave Thunders), Dwight Ramos (Levanga Hokkaido), and Kiefer Ravena (Yokohama B-Corsairs) are expected to make appearances in the weekend event.
[ALSO READ: B.LEAGUE Final Week heads to Manila as Filipino stars headline 4-day event]
For the elder Sotto and Guiao, the Alphas-ROS meet up served as a mini reunion. The former journeyman center was a member of coach Yeng's staff when he was still with the NLEX Road Warriors.