Gilas Pilipinas’ AJ Edu. Photo from FIBA.
MANILA — Three members of Gilas Pilipinas' frontline are dealing with injuries days before Gilas Pilipinas ramp up their preparations for the November window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
Ahead of the Nationals' training camp on November 15 at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna, Gilas head coach Tim Cone and team manager Richard Del Rosario revealed that AJ Edu, Jamie Malonzo, and Kai Sotto are dealing with different health issues which will affect their availability for their two home games
"AJ suffered a knee injury in his last game in Japan," said Del Rosario during a press conference on Monday in Pasig.
"Right now, we're in communication with his medical team in the B.League, and he needs to undergo strength and conditioning. That's unfortunate because the injury just happened days before, but we're still hopeful," he continued.
Despite being a part of the pool since Cone officially took over as Gilas head coach, Edu has not yet stepped foot on the floor due to his previous lower leg injuries.
And while the big man will be joining the team in their camp, Del Rosario acknowledged that Edu is doubtful to play on November 21 and 25.
"He's arriving today," he shared. "We'll make our assessment with our trainers and medical staff, and we'll see from there. It depends on his recovery if he'll be available for the window."
Gilas Pilipinas’ Jamie Malonzo. Photo from FIBA.
Malonzo's case is different from Edu's. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel's athletic ace has already been ruled out from Gilas next two games.
"Jamie is not available," said Cone. "Jamie needs to get back in the GInebra lineup and get comfortable there before he goes back to the Gilas lineup. Hopefully, that will happen within the next month or two."
Fortunately for Gilas, even if Sotto is also dealing with health concerns, it is more likely for the 7-foot-3 stalwart to bolster them against New Zealand and Hong Kong.
Gilas Pilipinas’ Kai Sotto. Photo from FIBA.
"We have been in touch with the medical team of Kai's team in Japan," said Del Rosario. "He's been put into concussion protocol, and we're following that. He's in the process of completing the protocol, but all indications — he will be available upon conclusion of that protocol."
"There are six steps. He's now on his third step, but considering everything, by the time we play New Zealand, he can play. He can even practice before that, but it's only after the assessment of the doctor that we can say if he can play."
Given Malonzo and Edu's absence, veteran forward Japeth Aguilar and La Salle's Mason Amos are expected to make the final lineup.