Healthy AJ Edu + Kai Sotto + June Mar Fajardo for Gilas Pilipinas in the Riga FIBA OQT? It's certainly a tantalizing thought.
When Tim Cone first had the Gilas Pilipinas squad for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers back in February, he found himself lacking in big men. Seven-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo was nursing his calf, while AJ Edu had to complete his rehab from a knee injury.
With only Kai Sotto at the post, Cone asked longtime Gilas center Japeth Aguilar to step in against Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei.
Things could be different by the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga next month. With much taller opponents in Latvia and Georgia, Cone would need more bodies at the post.
Fajardo is in peak condition, as he is in the middle of the San Miguel Beermen's battle against the Meralco Bolts for the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup title.
But what about AJ Edu?
"He's at the very edge of his ending of the rehab process. He's going from Japan to London, and he has a physiotherapist there that he will continue to work with," Cone shared in an interview with Carlo Pamintuan last month.
"So he should be fine and ready to go on the 21st, that's a good sign."
The six-foot-ten Edu is expected to be vital in defense, especially against the likes of seven-foot-two Kristaps Porzingis of Latvia and possibly Goga Bitadze of Georgia.
"AJ is a key guy because he's our true big man stopper. And he's gonna be the guy who guards Porzingis, poor guy. Or Goga from Georgia. He's got the tough job," Cone noted.
The coach already spoke highly of Kai Sotto's potential with the team. And Kaiju's chemistry with Edu stemming back from their junior days for Gilas could work wonders.
[ALSO READ: Gilas: Tim Cone says Kai Sotto a 'perfect fit' for their system, points what to improve]
The tactician previously said he was still trying to ask Aguilar to return for Gilas.
[ALSO READ: Tim Cone hopes to get Japeth Aguilar again as 'crucial' part of Gilas Pilipinas]
Gilas Pilipinas will convene on June 21 before heading out to Latvia. Only the top team in the Riga qualifiers will book a ticket to the Olympic Games Paris 2024.