AJ Edu not only declared that he had overcome the slew of injuries he experienced over the past three years during the 2023 Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament but also presented a case for his inclusion in Gilas Pilipinas’ final 12 for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
The 6-foot-10 big man averaged 8.5 points, 8.75 rebounds, and 1.25 blocks in the three-nation pocket tournament.
His string of performances was even better than those of six-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar.
However, Edu is not solely focused on his production during the China tilt. What holds significance for him is the restoration of his confidence.
“I’m really thankful for this tournament because it brought a lot of confidence for me and my game,” he told CNN Sportsdesk.
“Just being able to compete and make an impact is a huge boost for me.”
Since the tournament’s conclusion, there have been suggestions that Gilas can do without Kai Sotto.
Sotto, who is nursing a back injury due to the demands of his 2022-23 campaign that led him to compete in Australia, Japan, and the United States, joined Gilas on Wednesday but is still awaiting medical clearance to participate in the scrimmages.
However, Edu opined that having Sotto will undoubtedly yield positive outcomes for Gilas.
“Kai being part of the team will be a huge boost. I understand that people are thinking that maybe we can do without him but having someone of Kai’s ability and talent will only help the team,” said Edu.
The twin tower combination of Edu and Sotto was prominently featured during the late 2010s.
Under the leadership of the lanky duo, the Philippines achieved a top-four finish in the U18 Asia Cup and guided the country to success in the U19 World Cup.
“For me personally, having played with him at the junior level, I know how much he makes his team better. He made me better. I would love to play with him again,” he shared.
“He is only going to make the team better.”
For his part, Edu will focus on what he can control.
Over the next 14 days, he intends to strive for continuous improvement.
“Definitely very confident to finally hit that stride. That tournament is a good foundation that I want to continue to build on. I want to increase my impact,” he continued.
