Contrasting results for Gilas duo Kai Sotto as AJ Edu wins his first game in Japan, while Kai Sotto endured a tough debut in Koshigaya.
Milestone unlocked for a fit-again AJ Edu.
AJ Edu celebrated his first B.LEAGUE victory as the Nagasaki Velca split their weekend series against the Sunrockers Shibuya to open the 2024-25 season.
Nagasaki took the first game Friday, 76-68, while Shibuya responded with a gritty 58-53 win in the second matchup on Saturday, October 6.
Edu, who endured a winless campaign (0-14) last year with the Toyama Grouses before an injury cut his season short, made an immediate impact for his new team.
In Nagasaki’s game one victory, he contributed six points and six rebounds, helping secure the team’s first win of the season and his first-ever B.LEAGUE triumph.
In the rematch, Edu put up a stronger stat line with eight points and seven rebounds but couldn't prevent Shibuya from eking out a defensive win to split the series.
Edu started both games for Nagasaki and is already showing his value on both ends of the floor, much like his start with the Grouses last year when he averaged 13.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.
Meanwhile, in another B.LEAGUE clash, Kai Sotto and the Koshigaya Alphas faced a tough challenge in the team’s first-ever B1 game, falling 75-57 to two-time champions Alvark Tokyo.
Sotto struggled offensively, finishing with just three points but contributed on defense with seven rebounds and two blocks.
The Alphas will have a chance to rebound in their second game on October 6 as they continue their B1 journey.
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[Editor's note: This article was generated by a member of the One Sports Digital team using AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]