FIBA matchup vs Karl-Anthony Towns ignites AJ Edu's dream of playing in the NBA

Gilas Pilipinas' big man AJ Edu is hoping to make it to the NBA someday and he knows that to realize that dream, he has to learn to compete against the best.

On Friday night, he got to experience it first-hand as he had to opportunity to go head-to-head against Dominican Republic big man and Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns.

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Edu, who plays for the Toyama Grouses in the Japan B.League, said he welcomed the challenge of being Towns' primary defender, even if Gilas Pilipinas lost the tight game, 87-81.

"I love the challenge and you know ultimately I wanna play in the NBA one day so I gotta do my best against players like him and he's up there as an All-Star and first-round pick and there's no better way to measure myself than to guard someone like Karl-Anthony Towns," Edu said.

Edu also expressed his gratitude to Gilas head coach Chot Reyes and the coaching staff for entrusting him the tough task to slow down Towns.

Edu proved his efficiency once again as he churned out seven points on perfect field goal percentage while also collecting five rebounds.

"I just really appreciate the belief that coach has in me to go on and give Karl-Anthony Towns the best challenge I could. That trust goes a long way, it gives confidence to a young player like me," the 6-foot-10 bruiser added.

"This is something I'll never gotta forget. This was such a blessing to experience in front of the home fans."

Earlier, Towns also praised Edu for being an "ultra competitor" and making him a better player.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News