Gilas’ AJ Edu attributes solid showing to coaches, teammates

Gilas Pilipinas big man AJ Edu celebrates during an overtime win over Saudi Arabia in the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup qualification quarterfinals.–FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Ever since his poor showing against New Zealand in the Fiba Asia Cup group stage, Gilas Pilipinas’ defensive anchor AJ Edu shifted to a whole other gear and never looked back.

Following a solid game against Iraq to help Gilas stay alive in the continental competition, Edu doubled down and turned in another stellar performance to help the Philippines reach the quarterfinals.

READ: AJ Edu doubly motivated to take Gilas Pilipinas deep

“I have to give credit to coach because I was losing confidence there, missing shots and layups. I have to do better than that but they kept encouraging me,” said the Cypriot-born big man after Gilas’ 95-88 overtime win over host Saudi Arabia.

“I had some opportunities to shoot and they went in and that’s credit to my teammates and my coaches for encouraging me to keep going even though my shots weren’t going in.”

Aside from Justin Brownlee, who unleashed 29 points including the game-tying 3-pointer that forced overtime, Edu also shone with 17 points and 12 rebounds on top of four assists and a block.

His effort against Saudi Arabia came after a nine-point, seven-rebound effort against Iraq.

READ: AJ Edu urges Gilas, including himself, to step up after loss

Edu and Gilas, however, have little time to celebrate with a tough quarterfinals duel against undefeated Australia coming up on Wednesday.

“I think there’s a lot of motivation because the last time they played there was quite the incident,” said Edu, pertaining to the infamous brawl between Gilas and the Australians in the 2019 Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers at Philippine Arena in Bocaue.

“We have an opportunity to get retribution in a way. That’s Australia, the best team and favorites coming into this tournament so it’s a great opportunity to play them. You never know what’ll happen.”