AJ Edu, Kai Sotto excited for twin tower tandem at Batang Gilas

Batang Gilas had relative success when it only had one tower in 7-foot-2 Kai Sotto.

The Philippines’ youth program placed fourth in the Fiba U16 Asian Championship in Foshan with Sotto becoming the Mythical Team’s center while also qualifying for the Fiba U17 Basketball World Cup where they placed 14th out of 16 countries.

Sotto, though, has found a running mate in 6-foot-11 AJ Edu as Batang Gilas competes in the Fiba U18 Asian Championship in Thailand.

“I’ve said before, just like the fans, I’m excited. Everyone’s been saying nicknames like Twin Towers and stuff and it’s really cool,” said Edu during the team’s send-off press conference Thursday at Crowne Plaza.

“Kai and I have a good relationship right now, on and off the court, and I think I can develop to something really good in the future,” added Edu, who will play for University of Toledo in the NCAA’s Division 1.

As for Sotto, who’s on his fourth stint as a Philippine international, playing with Edu will not only mean that the team will have another big man in the middle but he will also have someone that will help him in his basketball career.

“I’m excited to play with him because he’s a special player because he’s not just tall but he’s also athletic,” said Sotto in Filipino. “We’re both rim protectors and in offense we can play off each other.”

Both Sotto and Edu agree they won’t be taking up each other’s spaces on the floor since they will play different positions once they play at the same time.

Sotto is the team’s center while Edu will play as the power forward.

“We’re going to give our heart out and I think I’ll link well with him being the 5 and me being the 4 so it will be good,” said the 18-year-old Edu.

“AJ will help me in a lot of ways and I will learn so much from him,” said Sotto who is two years Edu’s junior.