MANILA, Philippines – Tim Cone is convinced Gilas Pilipinas has yet to parade its best team yet.
And that best includes AJ Edu, who missed the Philippines’ sweep of New Zealand and Hong Kong in the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers due to another knee injury.
“I keep telling him and I keep saying this, we won’t be a complete team until he gets into our lineup. We won’t feel like we’re a complete team until AJ joins us,” said head coach Tim Cone.
Cone had hoped to bring back Edu into the roster after the 6-foot-10 big man missed the first window in February and the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July due to a torn meniscus he sustained in December last year.
Edu healed and returned to action in the Japan B. League for the Nagasaki Velca, but he hurt his right knee just days before the second window on November 9.
Still, Edu flew to the Philippines to reunite with the national team with hopes of recovering in time for the games, but Cone and his staff decided not to risk aggravating his injury.
Even without Edu, though, the Nationals stayed spotless in the qualifiers, beating New Zealand for the first time ever via a 93-89 victory on November 21 then coasting to a 93-54 blowout of Hong Kong on November 24.
“It wasn’t a major injury. If it had been the FIBA Asia Cup or the World Cup, he probably could have battled through it,” said Cone.
“There’s pain in his knee in certain movements. Because he had a couple of [anterior cruciate ligament] injuries, we wanted to be more careful with him.”
Edu has not donned the national colors for over a year since the FIBA World Cup, where he averaged 8.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks.
The 24-year-old can end that long absence as the Philippines goes on the road against New Zealand and Chinese Taipei in the third window.
“He’s excited about coming in February. We’ll try again and hope and cross our fingers that he doesn’t get hurt or whatever between now and February,” said Cone. – Rappler.com