Gilas Pilipinas center AJ Edu is pumped up during an exhibition game against Macau.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—AJ Edu showed his readiness for Gilas Pilipinas after being sidelined for much of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers due to injuries.
Edu on Monday helped Gilas rally for a 103-98 victory over the Macau Black Bears in a tune-up game at Araneta Coliseum.
READ: Cone using Gilas-Macau exhibition to fill up Asia Cup roster spots
“[My] body’s feeling great. I have no issues,” said a beaming Edu.
“I’m really thankful for that and everyone who’s been helping me get and stay healthy and I’m hoping and praying to keep that going.”
Edu missed the first and second windows of the Asia Cup Qualifiers because of knee injuries. He returned to the Nationals’ lineup for the third window but went 0-2 against Chinese Taipei and New Zealand.
In those two matches, Edu averaged 8.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
The Cypriot-Filipino big man showed no rust against Macau, tallying 15 points and three rebounds in the win that saw Gilas claw back from a 21-point deficit.
READ: AJ Edu, Jamie Malonzo back in Gilas Final 12 for Chinese Taipei
A lot will be expected of Edu with center Kai Sotto continues his recovery from an ACL injury.
“We’re still having adjustments. Kai is such an important piece to the way we play in the triangle. We’ll have to make do without him for now.”
“Everyone just has to step up and I think, today you saw how many people stepped up and we’ll just have to keep that going until Kai gets back.”
Gilas begins its Fiba Asia Cup campaign in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday.
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