AJ Edu admits Gilas Pilipinas still adjusting to life without Kai Sotto

AJ Edu and the rest of Gilas Pilipinas understand that everyone has to step up as they are set to navigate the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup without one of their key big men in Kai Sotto.

That was on full display during their friendly match against the Macau Black Bears on Monday, where the Filipinos rallied for a gritty 103–98 comeback win in front of their home crowd.

Usual suspect Justin Brownlee was in his element in his first game back for the flag, dropping a game-high 32 points on 5-of-7 shooting from downtown and collecting 15 rebounds, five assists, one steal, and a block. 

Brownlee, though, didn't lack support with his teammates stepping up in the 21-point fightback. 

Dwight Ramos churned out 19 points, four rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block while Edu made his presence felt on the paint with 15 markers and three boards. 

Kevin Quiambao chipped in 14 points, five rebounds, and two assists while Scottie Thompson and CJ Perez finished with 10 and seven markers to rally the Philippines from a double-digit deficit. 

"[Coach Tim said] nothing specific [at the halftime break], he just knows we’re better than that, that first half wasn’t us," Edu said.

"He just wanted us to be who we are, who we’ve been preparing to be."

Despite the win, AJ Edu acknowledged that Kai Sotto’s absence leaves a significant void, but stressed that the team is ready to rise to the challenge in the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The 7-foot-3 Sotto was ruled out for the tournament after sustaining an ACL injury while suiting up for Koshigaya in the Japan B. League earlier this year.

?"It’s still an adjustment. Kai is such an important piece, especially  to the way we play in the triangle," Edu added.

"But we’re gonna have to make do without him for now and everyone decides to step and tonight, you saw how many people stepped up and we just gotta keep that going until Kai comes back."

—JMB, GMA Integrated News