Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
GILAS Pilipinas is assured of a solid defensive stopper at front court as Filipino-Cypriot AJ Edu is slated to make his comeback with Gilas Pilipinas when the national team begins its training on June 21 at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
Gilas coach Tim Cone said he just had a recent chat with Edu, who is at the tail end of his recovery since tearing his meniscus while playing for the Toyama Grouses in the Japan B. League back in December.
“He’s (Edu) not yet back to playing, but he’s at the very edge of ending his rehab process,” Cone said. “He’s going from Japan to London and has a physiotherapist to work with. So he should start playing in a week or two and he should be fine and ready to go on the 21st.”
The 66-year-old American coach expects Edu to be Gilas’ “true big man stopper.”
“AJ is a key guy because he’s our true big man stopper. He’s gonna be the guy to guard (Boston Celtics big man Kristaps) Porzingis, poor guy, or (Orlando Magic’s) Goga (Bidatze of Georgia). So he’s got the tough job, and we’re gonna need him,” he explained.
The 6-foot-10 Edu missed the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers last February where Gilas routed Hong Kong and Taiwan.
But the former Gilas youth big man impressed many during his FIBA World Cup debut last year that saw him average 8.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 blocks.
Edu had his best performance in the World Cup against South Sudan, where he went on to log in 12 points and 14 rebounds where Gilas fell, 87-68.
The Philippines will spend four days at the Inspire Sports Academy and will head to Europe on June 25 where Gilas plays two friendly games against Turkey and Poland.
Gilas will be joining the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, Latvia, from July 2 to 7.
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