After four long years, AJ Edu is back in the country.
The 6-foot-11 big man is back in the country as Gilas Pilipinas Men begin their preparation for the 2023 FIBA World Cup on June 7.
And the 23-year-old product of Toledo is just glad to be back.
“I’ll be part of the pool and try to earn my way into the final 12. That’s the biggest reason why I’m here, to achieve that goal,” he told Noli Eala’s Power & Play on Saturday.
Edu last donned the Gilas blue and white back in the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup.
But right in the Philippines’ very first game in the global meet, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his right knee
Two more ACL tears were suffered by Edu in the next two years.
But Edu says that he is now 100-percent. In fact, he played a total of 35 games for the Rockets during his senior year.
“I don’t really see any reason to be worried.
“It’s my first time being a part of the Gilas pool so I’m just gonna go and enjoy the experience and try to learn as much as I can. I’m still relatively young, so I have a lot of time to learn and grow,” said Edu, who normed 2.8 points and 3.0 rebounds during his final year.
Photo from Toledo
Before arriving in the country, Edu trained in Australia. And he is about to sign a pro contract soon.
For now, he is eyeing to be part of the Gilas team for the World Cup.
“I’m confident in my ability. I haven’t been able to showcase that completely well. If I go into the training camp with the mentality of really showing up, I think I’ll make the final cut.
“For me as long as I’ve given my best, and shown what I’m capable of and be part of the process, I won’t have negative feelings towards it. I’m gonna give my best, if that’s enough to make the final 12, then so be it, if not then so be it as well,” he said.
