When Kai Sotto suffered a knee injury at Kariyashi Taiikukan last Sunday, AJ Edu was 908 kilometers away at Happiness Arena, playing in a game against Yokohama.
It was only three days later when doctors confirmed the devastating news – Sotto had torn his ACL in his left knee, an injury that will sideline him for the rest of the year.
“The worst way to start the year, might be the darkest day of my basketball career, when I was told I tore my ACL. Tough to let this one sink in,” Sotto’s post read.
For Edu, it was heartbreaking to see his “brother” go through such a setback.
“I was really worried to see my brother go down like that,” Edu shared to Tiebreaker Times. “When I heard the news about what it was, I was obviously devastated.
“It’s really tough to hear. I know he was having a great season, so it’s a real shame.”
Both Edu and Sotto have been excelling in their respective B.League stints this season.
(C) FIBA.basketball
Sotto, representing Koshigaya, has been averaging 13.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game.
Edu, on the other hand, has been posting solid numbers with 5.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per contest.
Knowing firsthand the emotional and physical toll of a serious injury, Edu didn’t waste time reaching out to Sotto after hearing the news.
The 25-year-old has endured multiple knee injuries in his young career, including tearing his ACL during the first game of Gilas Boys at the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup.
He later tore his meniscus in 2020 and his left ACL again in 2021.
Despite these setbacks, Edu persevered and has since returned stronger, earning a key role with Gilas Men and thriving as a professional in Japan.
“We’ve been in contact,” Edu said. “As everyone knows, I’m someone who has gone through multiple knee surgeries, so I was just trying to encourage him that there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
“He will come back better and stronger, not only physically but mentally, too.”
Edu’s most important advice to Sotto is to remain patient and trust in the process.
“My biggest advice is to trust in the Lord, to really hold on to faith that the Lord has good plans and will restore him. I’ve seen God’s goodness in my own life, restoring me to the basketball court, and I believe we’ll see it in Kai’s life, too!”
