AT least for this friendly against the Macau Black Bears, AJ Edu took care of business manning the middle for Gilas Pilipinas.
With June Mar Fajardo opting to rest and Kai Sotto still out with an ACL injury, the 6-foot-10 Edu proved capable as the team's main rim protector in the Filipinos’ 103-98 come-from-behind win against the visiting team at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
READ: Gilas climbs out of 21-point hole to beat Macau in sendoff match
In his finest game yet with the national team after coming off an injury, the young big man finished with 15 points, three rebounds, and two assists in a performance that earned merit from no less than coach Tim Cone.
“AJ was awesome. We just have to admit it,” said the Gilas Pilipinas mentor.
But Edu is just taking the opportunity to showcase what he can exactly bring to the table now that he’s fully healthy and free of injury.
“I’m feeling great, feeling healthy, and I take this opportunity to thank the Lord,” he said. “The body is feeling great. I’m really thankful for everyone who’s helping me to get healthy and stay healthy, and I’m praying and hoping to keep that up.”
Edu capped his 24-minute job with a thunderous two-handed slam against Fil-Am Quentin Millora-Brown off an assist by Justin Brownlee in the third quarter at the height of Gilas’ mighty comeback from 21 points down.
“I have to thank my teammates, they set it up, made it very easy for me to get those opportunities,” he said.
AJ can't wait to have Kai back
Despite his impact on the game, Edu is still hoping to someday rekindile his frontline partnership with the 7-foot-3 Sotto.
He admitted that there's a big adjustment on their end playing without Sotto in the Gilas lineup.
“Kai is such an important piece with the way we play. But we have to make do without him for now,” said Edu
“And everyone has to step up, and you saw how many guys stepped up. And we just have to keep up going until Kai comes back.”
The last time Edu and Sotto teamed up with Gilas came during the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Injuries to either big man prevented them from playing together again until this time.
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.
