THE prospects of linking up with naturalized player Ange Kouame for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2023 FIBA World Cup excite Fil-Nigerian big man AJ Edu.
“Having watched a little bit of his Ateneo play in college basketball, it’s going to be really exciting for Gilas. I feel like with just the options that we have we can never have too many options, especially going into a World Cup or a FIBA tournament,” Edu said recently on Radyo5 92.3 News FM’s Power and Play program hosted by former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala.
“So having these options is just going to be really exciting. Me personally, I’m just very excited for 2023,” he added.
With the World Cup the Philippines is co-hosting with Indonesia and Japan still two years from now, the 6-foot-10 Edu, who plays for University of Toledo in the US NCAA Division I, said his priority is to regain his form after recovering from an ACL injury he suffered in the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup in 2019 and a meniscus tear the past two years.
“For me, the number one goal is obviously just having a healthy season,” Edu, whose mother Josie Litang hails from Surigao City, said.
“I feel like that’s something I’ve obviously missed over the past couple seasons.”
Edu, 21, is also convinced 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto, another future frontline partner with the Philippine five, made the right decision to bring his act to Adelaide in the National Basketball League of Australia.
“I was very, very happy for him. Immediately when I heard the news, I made sure that I contacted him and congratulated him,” Edu said.
“I feel like it’s a very good step for him. We’ve seen it work before with LaMelo Ball who was the No. 3 pick (in the 2020 NBA draft), and he came from the NBL. So, it’s definitely a pathway that is proven.”
