AJ Edu's availability for the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers would depend on his recovery from his unfortunate knee injury.
There’s a chance AJ Edu will sit out the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers later this month.
This after Edu suffered an apparent knee injury in the game between his Nagasaki Velca and the Akita Northern Happinets in the Japan B.League last Nov. 9.
Gilas team manager Richard del Rosario bared this during a press conference on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
“AJ suffered an injury in his last game in Japan. Right now, we are in communication with the medical team of AJ in the B.League and he needs to undergo strengthening with his knee,” said Del Rosario.
[ALSO READ: AJ Edu pads B.LEAGUE lead in blocks in latest Nagasaki Velca win]
Edu hurt his knee after securing the defensive rebound for the Velca at the 6:47 mark of the third quarter. He was subbed out after that.
The 6-foot-10 cager, who has yet to play for Tim Cone as national team head coach, is arriving within the day as Gilas prepares for its game against New Zealand (Nov. 21) and Hong Kong (Nov. 24).
But Del Rosario was quick to say Edu's availability hinges on his recovery.
“As you all know, AJ has a long history of injuries. He’s arriving today and then we will make our assessment with our trainers, our own trainers and medical staff, and see from there. It depends on his recovery if he will be available for the window,” Del Rosario said.
AJ Edu | Photo (c) FIBA
Cone admitted that he initially felt upset over the recent development. But there’s no other recourse for him and the Nationals except to prepare for the worst-case scenario as far as Edu’s health is concerned.
[ALSO READ: Dwight Ramos expected to report for Gilas Pilipinas after recovery from injury]
“I was so excited I’d get AJ this time. And then just yesterday, or a day before, we heard about his knee. The Japanese team he plays for didn’t want him to come,” said Cone.
“It was so depressing. I was upset. That’s part of the game. Injuries are part of the game. You feel bad about it for five minutes and then you've got to move on."