AJ Edu makes his mark defending Karl-Anthony Towns in Gilas loss

Gilas Pilipinas center AJ Edu during the Fiba World Cup game between the Philippines and Dominican Republic. –Marlo Cueto/INQUIRER.net

BOCAUE—Despite being a country filled with small basketball players, Gilas Pilipinas has surprisingly been home to some rough and tough big men.

Ranidel de Ocampo, Marc Pingris and June Mar Fajardo, to name a few, have been considered as the country’s tough anchors in the paint when it comes to international play.

After his statement game in Gilas Pilipinas’ 87-81 loss to Dominican Republic in the 2023 Fiba World Cup, AJ Edu may very well be added to that long lineage of remarkable bigs.

However, being the new meta for a Gilas Pilipinas big man isn’t in the plan for Edu. For the Cypriot-born cager, giving it his all is the main goal.

“It’s very big shoes to fill. Those guys are legends, not just in the PBA but also in the international stage so I try not to think about it that way and just try and give my best, personally, and see how far I go,” he said at Philippine Arena on Friday night.

Edu played like it wasn’t his first time in the World Cup, finishing with seven points, five rebounds and two blocks but it was all for naught as the Dominicans still prevailed in the end.

The silver lining, though, is the former Gilas cadet’s shooting efficiency, sinking all three of his tries from the field.

All of that, however, wouldn’t be possible without the trust that was instilled to him by coach Chot Reyes and the entirety of the Gilas coaching staff.

“I just really appreciate the belief that coach has in me. All the coaching staff, actually, have belief in me to go and give Karl-Anthony (Towns) the best challenge I could,” the 23-year-old said.

“That trust just goes a long way and gives confidence for a young player like me to just continue to elevate my game and continue to build on that trust.”

GETTING THE BIG KAT’S APPROVAL

Fans expected the Dominican Republic’s Towns to put on a clinic but it didn’t seem like that completely.

The NBA veteran finished with 26 points but not without some banging and clanging down low with Edu and the other big men of the Philippines.

In fact, the Minnesota Timberwolves star sank only five of his 16 shots from the field, thanks to the stifling defense of Edu.

The Toyama Grouse ball club member’s length, wingspan and athleticism may be big factors for Towns’ abysmal shooting night but it was his perseverance that caught the NBA All-Star’s attention.

“It’s kind of a surreal feeling playing against someone that you watched on TV, you’ve seen on All-Star Games, seen as the number one pick. Those are the sort of challenges that I love,” said Edu.

“That’s why I play the game of basketball. To play in front of a crowd like that. A challenge like that. I love the opportunity, playing against him. Ultimately, that’s the level I want to play for one day. It was a great experience.”

The big KAT just had to tip his hat off to the young cat.

“I think Edu’s great and everyone in their team is just hard-working people and they play really hard,” said an exhausted Towns after the victory.

“Shout out to him. That’s the culture, the Filipino culture; just hard-working people who do it with love.”