A few Gillas completely utilized the big man Edu to serve as FIBA ASIA CUP TUN
Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone hopes to fully utilize Big Man AJ Edu’s first-class skills to become the national competition for the FIBA ASIA Cup Mint Minus Minus Kai Sotto.
Unlike the last window in February that made its debut for Mr. Cone’s crew after missing a previous campaign due to a knee injury, Mr. Edu is totally healthy and has now gained more training time in the Nationals.
“He was excellent in the tuning against Macau,” said Mr. Edu’s Conn, who beat 15 points, three rebounds and two assists in the 103-98 return of the Black Bears at Gilas 103-98.
“For AJ, it’s important here. Last trip we had only him for two days, and then we arrived in Doha to play games, and then we went to Taiwan and did a practice, and then we went to New Zealand and did a practice. So, in fact, we only had four practices, we only had four practices, so we had practice time.
Mr Edu is accepting the heavier frontcourt burden he will share with Mr Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar as Mr Sotto continues to recover from ACL injuries.
“It’s still a tweak. Kay is so important, especially the way we play the triangle. But we have to be without him for the time being, and everyone has to strengthen.”
Mr. Edu, 25, was glad to have no harm for this window.
“I feel good in body. I have no problems, so I’m really grateful and thanks to everyone who has been helping me to be healthy and stay healthy, so I hope to keep going.”
Gilas completed domestic training on Wednesday and will resume work in Jeddah, the host city of the Asian Cup, from August 5 to 17.
Mr Cone’s troops plan to play the Jordan national team in a friendly match on Saturday, then fell into action in the group D of the Mainland Conference against China-Taipei, New Zealand (August 7) and Iraq (August 9).
Note: Although neither of his ankles maintained in the PBA Philippine Cup finals have recovered from sprains, TNT’s Calvin oftana is working among soldiers to prepare to resume the duties of Gilas Pilipinas in next week’s Fiba Asia Cup. Mr Oftana took a breath on the Nationals’ send-out tuneup to the Macau Black Bears last Monday, and he will join the Gillas delegation scheduled to travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last night, confirmation from assistant coach Richard Del Rosario. – Olmin Leyba
