JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) – For AJ Edu, the FIBA Asia Cup may be new, but the weight of big moments isn’t.
After logging minutes in youth tournaments and the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, the 208cm/6'10" forward-center is no stranger to the international stage. This tournament, however, marks a personal milestone: his first Asia Cup appearance, and the start of a journey where he's expected to do more than just anchor the paint.
"Every time I get the opportunity to represent Gilas, it's a blessing," Edu said. "I’m really excited to see what we can achieve."
That excitement will need to translate quickly into results. Edu had a solid line—8 points, 12 rebounds, 1 steal—in their painful Day 1 loss to Chinese Taipei. That said, with Group Phase pressure rising, the upcoming clash against a confident New Zealand squad looms large.
"We got punched early and didn’t punch back," Edu admitted post-game. "As guys on the court, we're gonna take responsibility. It’s on us as players to step up."
Edu knows that stepping up means expanding his game. Known for his energy, rebounding and shot-blocking, he’s hoping to take on more scoring duties.
"People always mention the energy and the rebounding," he said. "But I think I can bring more offensively as well."
He’ll need to. New Zealand looked sharp in their opener, bringing size and physicality. Those are two things Edu will be called on to match. In just his third senior-level tournament, the 25-year-old is already one of the team’s anchors, tasked with setting the tone on both ends of the floor.
"A lot of it is dependent on us," he said. "We just have to bring our A-game. I think if we bring our A-game, we can definitely get the wins that are required."
With a spot in the next round hanging in the balance, expect Edu to do exactly that.
FIBA