Fajardo, Edu out for first window of FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers

Big men June Mar Fajardo and AJ Edu have been ruled out for Gilas Pilipinas' opening game in the first window of 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers slated this week due to injuries.

Fajardo is still nursing a calf injury he sustained during San Miguel's grueling best-of-seven finals series against Magnolia in the PBA Commissioner's Cup while the youngster, Edu, has a meniscus injury that had also sidelined him in the Japanese B. League where he is suiting up for the Toyama Grouses.

Fajardo will be out for two weeks while Edu remains in recovery and is tipped to miss action for a month or two.

With the two big men out, Gilas will heavily rely on Kai Sotto and veteran Japeth Aguilar, who will step in to fill the void left by Fajardo and Edu, as they eye to open the national team's new era on a winning note.

Given the tough task, the 21-year-old 7-foot-3 Sotto is ready to rise to the occasion as Gilas takes on Hong Kong on Thursday to kick off their campaign before hosting Chinese Taipei on the 25th.

"Siyempre [always ready]. [I] give props kay Kuya Japeth for stepping in for the spot [left by Fajardo]. We’re missing two key players so the rest would have to step up," Sotto said in a press conference on Monday.

"Everybody’s ready for the bigger role and I’m confident sa team namin."

[Of course. I give props to Kuya Japeth for stepping in for the spot. We're missing two key players so the rest would have to step up... Everybody's ready for the bigger role and I'm confident in our team.]

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone added that Carl Tamayo would be their third big man.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News