With Kai Sotto effectively out for the FIBA Asia Cup, Tim Cone will be looking for answers and more combinations when Gilas Pilipinas flies to Doha for a mini-tournament.
Gilas Pilipinas has always been dealing with injury woes, and this time is no exception.
But just as the Philippine men's national basketball team is missing a few players for the final window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers, the Filipinos made sure to welcome familiar faces back into the fold.
Big man AJ Edu and forward Jamie Malonzo are back after recovering from their injuries, as Gilas Pilipinas head to Doha for a mini-tournament.
[ALSO READ: Doha games a chance to integrate Jamie Malonzo, AJ Edu with Gilas, says Tim Cone]
Edu was supposed to suit up for Gilas in the second window of the FIBA ACQ back in November, but had to take a break once again after suffering a knee injury in the Japan B.League. He last suited up for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2023.
And that means Tim Cone's dream of an AJ Edu-Kai Sotto tandem would have to wait again, as the Koshigaya Alphas big man underwent ACL surgery after going down with an injury in the B.League as well.
[ALSO READ: Kai Sotto undergoes successful ACL surgery, gets support from girlfriend Rere Madrid]
"It's hard to fill the gap that Kai left. Those are big shoes to fill, but I'm gonna do my best to contribute where my strengths are defensively and offensively," Edu told News5 before heading to Doha.
With eight-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo at the post, Cone had utilized the seven-foot-two Sotto as a wing against New Zealand. This proved to be pivotal in ending Gilas Pilipinas' drought against the Tall Blacks.
"It's gonna be tough to replace all the things that he does for us. He is a special player," Cone admitted. "We're gonna try to make up for his absence in different ways. And that's one of the reasons we're going to Doha, to figure that out."
The two-day Laguna camp saw limited players, with Justin Brownlee, Troy Rosario, Calvin Oftana, Cjay Perez, June Mar Fajardo, Dwight Ramos, and Japeth Aguilar joining Edu and Malonzo. But they did get some valuable assistance from Ginebra guards RJ Abarrientos and Ralph Cu.
"It went well. We were missing some guys, they will meet us in Doha. But we accomplished what we wanted to accomplish. We got guys refreshed in what we do," Cone told News5. "I think we'll be complete when we start the first game."
Even though Gilas Pilipinas already secured a berth in the main FIBA Asia Cup draw in Saudi Arabia, Cone wants to join the Doha mini-tournament to let players get a feel of the hectic schedule.
"We just wanna see how they play and get a feel for them for FIBA Asia later in August. It's an opportunity to travel, play three games in a row," he said. "It's just really about the preparation."
"The winning is important, but the preparation is crucial."
The Philippines will take on host Qatar on February 15, 1:30 a.m; Lebanon at 11 p.m. on the same day; and Egypt on February 17, 1:30 a.m. All are in Manila time.
[ALSO READ: What you need to know when Gilas plays in Doha ahead of FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers]
The mini-tournament will then serve as a warm-up for Gilas in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.
Chinese Taipei hosts the Philippines on February 20. The Tall Blacks of New Zealand will then give Gilas their own form of welcome in Auckland on February 23.
(With reports from Ian Suyu, News5)