MANILA, Philippines — Filipino-Cypriot big man AJ Edu has been ruled out of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament as the former Gilas youth member is still recovering from a knee injury he sustained since late last year.
"AJ is out," Gilas coach Tim Cone said in a brief message to The Manila Times.
The 6-foot-10 Edu's spot will be taken by Barangay Ginebra veteran and many-time Gilas player Japeth Aguilar.
Edu also failed to play for Gilas during the kickoff window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers last February where the national side clobbered Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Also out of the OQT as mentioned earlier by Cone is Barangay Ginebra wingman Jamie Malonzo, who is still recovering since undergoing surgery due to left calf injury.
Ateneo's Mason Amos will be taking Malonzo's spot.
Gilas is set to start training and preparation for the FIBA OQT on Friday, June 21 at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
Cone said he expects all 12 members of the squad to be there given the short period of time to prepare for the OQT, which begins on July 2 in Riga, Latvia.
Gilas, which will battle host country Latvia and Georgia, will be led by naturalized player Justin Brownlee, along with June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, and Chris Newsome, who all just came from the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, Calvin Oftana, Dwight Ramos, Scottie Thompson, and youngsters Kai Sotto, Kevin Quiambao as well as Carl Tamayo.
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