Sotto-less Gilas fully harnesses big man Edu for FIBA Asia Cup duty
GILAS Pilipinas coach Tim Cone looks to fully harness the topnotch skills of big man AJ Edu as the Nationals vie for the FIBA Asia Cup mint minus Kai Sotto.
Unlike the previous window in February when he made his debut for Mr. Cone’s crew after missing previous campaigns due to knee injury, Mr. Edu is fully healthy and has clocked more training time with the Nationals now.
“He was awesome in the tuneup against Macau,” said Mr. Cone of the 6-foot-10 Mr. Edu, who banged in 15 points, three rebounds, and two assists in manning the fort while Mr. Sotto and June Mar Fajardo sat it out in Gilas’ 103-98 comeback win over the Black Bears on Monday.
“It was really important for AJ to be here. Last trip we took, we only had him for two days and then we arrived in Doha and played games and then we went to Taiwan, had one practice and then we went to New Zealand and had one practice. So, in effect, we only had like four practices the whole last trip we had. So getting practice time (with Mr. Edu) was crucial.”
Mr. Edu is embracing the heavier frontcourt load he would share with Mr. Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar as the 7-foot-3 Mr. Sotto continues to recuperate from ACL injury.
“It’s still an adjustment. Kai (Sotto) is such an important piece, especially to the way we play the triangle. But we’re going to have to make do without him for now and everyone has to step up,” he said.
The 25-year-old Mr. Edu is grateful to be injury-free for this window.
“Body’s feeling great. I have no issues so I’m really thankful for that, thankful for everyone who’s been helping me get healthy and stay healthy so I’m hoping to keep that going,” he said.
Gilas wrapped up its domestic training on Wednesday and will resume work in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the host city of the Aug. 5 to 17 Asia Cup.
Mr. Cone’s troops are scheduled to play the Jordan national team in a friendly on Saturday before plunging into the action in Group D of the Continental meet against Chinese-Taipei (Aug. 5), New Zealand (Aug. 7) and Iraq (Aug. 9).
Notes: Though not fully recovered from the sprain on both ankles he sustained in the PBA Philippine Cup finals, TNT’s Calvin Oftana is soldiering on, ready to resume playing duties for Gilas Pilipinas in next week’s FIBA Asia Cup. Mr. Oftana, who took a breather in the Nationals’ send-off tuneup against the Macau Black Bears last Monday, would be joining the Gilas delegation scheduled to leave for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last night, as confirmed by assistant coach Richard del Rosario. — Olmin Leyba
