AJ EDU is on target to play for Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July following an injury.
National coach Tim Cone expects the 24-year-old to be fit when Gilas begins its build-up for the Fiba OQT on July 21, saying Edu is close to recovering from a meniscus tear he sustained while playing for Toyoma Grouses in the Japan B.League last November.
“He is not yet back to playing but he is at the very edge of his ending of his rehab process,” said Cone in an interview with Carlo Pamintuan posted by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas on its social media platforms.
READ Cone tapping Japeth to replace injured Malonzo; Amos a back-up option
“He is going from Japan to London and he has a physiotherapist there that he will continue to work with,” said Cone.
“He should start playing in a week or two so he should be fine by the 21st,” said Cone.
The development is good news to the Gilas Pilipinas program that missed Edu during the first window of the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers last June.
Despite being hurt, Edu showed up for Gilas’ first training camp since Cone assumed the head coaching position, and travelled with the team during their games.
The 6-foot-10 Edu gives size and versatility to the Gilas team that is on a four-year program with a goal of qualifying in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Cone said he needs Edu as a primary defender in the OQT, more so if the Boston Celtics' big man, Kristaps Porzingis, plays for Latvia in its home qualifiers.
Edu also has experience at a young age, being part of the 12-man team of Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba Basketball World Cup last year.
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.
