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After an injury-riddled 2023-2024 season, Gilas Pilipinas twin towers Kai Sotto and AJ Edu are both ready to go as they suit up for their new B1 teams in the upcoming Japan B. League season
MANILA, Philippines – Hounded by injuries last season, Gilas Pilipinas big men Kai Sotto and AJ Edu are both ready to roll as the 2024-2025 Japan B. League season tips off on October 3.
Now with his new B1 squad, the Koshigaya Alphas, Sotto will get the opportunity to see action in their much-awaited opener after missing the first few months of the 2023-2024 season due to a lumbar disc herniation.
The 7-foot-3 big man also suffered a rib injury in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July, causing him to miss Gilas Pilipinas’ quarterfinal match against Brazil.
“I’m completely healthy right now. I can’t wait to start the season,” said Sotto during the league tip-off media conference on Thursday, September 26.
Like Sotto, Edu is raring to go after being limited to only 14 games in his first year in the Land of the Rising Sun due to a torn meniscus he sustained in November 2023.
Tapped by Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone to be part of his 12-man national team pool, Edu also hasn’t seen action for the Philippines since his breakout performance in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
“Looking forward to my second year now in the B. League. Looking forward to what our team can accomplish, I think we have an exciting group of players, new stadium, new facilities, so just really looking forward to what we can achieve,” said the 6-foot-10 Edu, who is likewise suiting up for a new B1 team this season, the Nagasaki Velca.
When in top form, Sotto and Edu showed that they can put up solid numbers for their respective teams in the B. League.
In 34 games played for the Yokohama B-Corsairs last season, Sotto averaged 12.8 points on 57.7% shooting, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks.
Edu, for his part, posted a near double-double of 13.1 points on 50.7% field goal clip and 8.9 rebounds in his short stint with the Toyama Grouses prior to his knee injury.
Sotto and Edu are two of six Filipino Asian Quota imports in B1, together with Dwight Ramos of the Levanga Hokkaido, Ray Parks of the Osaka Evessa, Matthew Wright of the Kawasaki Brave Thunders, and Kiefer Ravena of the B-Corsairs.
Meanwhile, two more Filipino Asian Quota imports will see action in B2, namely Geo Chiu of the Ehime Orange Vikings and Roosevelt Adams of the Yamagata Wyverns. – Rappler.com
