SCOTTIE Thompson may be out for the remainder of Gilas Pilipinas’ European sojourn, but big man AJ Edu could be ready to join the team at the tail end of its training camp.
The 6-foot-10 Edu has yet to fully recover from a severe ankle sprain he apparently suffered while in training in Australia prior to coming over and hooking up with the rest of the national team’s training pool.
The injured ankle is the main reason why the University of Toledo product hasn’t seen action yet in the first five tune up games of Gilas against Estonia, Finland, Ukraine U-21 team (twice), and Lithuania.
A check with Gilas Pilipinas though, revealed Edu is close to finally suiting up before the team winds up its three week camp in Europe.
See Chot starting to see Gilas team spirit in build-up for Fiba World Cup
“Better na siya ngayon. Hopefully, maka-join na siya ng full practice in a few days,” said Dexter Aseron, chief therapist and strength and conditioning coach of the team.
Aseron added Edu has begun running with Gilas in practices.
Coach Chot Reyes is still looking at playing one or two more tune up games in Lithuania before going back home.
The possible return of the 23-year-old Edu comes after Thompson was ruled out of the remaining games due to a metacarpal fracture sustained in practice.
The Barangay Ginebra guard is set to see a hand specialist once the team arrives in Manila.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
