U19 World Cup over for Edu, Philippines star out with ACL tear

HERAKLION (Greece) - AJ Edu's FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2019 lasted only 2:02 minutes as the Philippines star will miss the rest of the tournament after suffering a serious right knee injury in the team's opening game.

"This is very disappointing. It's something I have been thinking about all year - ever since we qualified. To go out right at the start was very disappointing. It's the first time I have ever had a knee injury. It's quite unlucky but these things happen. It's part of life. I'm gonna be back stronger. I'm not worried," Edu said ahead of his team's second game against Argentina.

Edu tumbled to the floor in the opening minutes against Greece and went to local hospital after the game for an MRI. The initial findings are that the star big man had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament and meniscal tear on his right knee with hairline fracture on his right femur bone, according to a statement by the country's federation.

“WE ARE SADDENED BY THE INJURY TO AJ EDU ... THE SBP IS COMMITTED TO HELP HIM GET THROUGH THIS ORDEAL AND WE ARE BEHIND HIM ALL THE WAY. WE WILL HELP HIM WITH WHATEVER HE NEEDS.”- Panlilio

"We are saddened by the injury to AJ Edu," said Alfredo S. Panlilio, the SBP president said on Facebook. "I sent him a message that the SBP is committed to help him get through this ordeal and we are behind him all the way. We will help him with whatever he needs."

Edu was impressed with the support from the fans back home.

"The response has been unbelievable. I never really understood how much support I would have," he said. "When it hit me the amount of people that were praying for me and sending me messages it was just unbelievable. I'm just so proud that I can at least represent the Philippines for a little bit."

Philippines are playing in the U19 World Cup for the first time in 40 years and the country's faithful were hopeful that Edu and his big man partner Kai Sotto could lead them deep into the tournament in Heraklion.

Edu says just because he is out, that should not mean Philippines' chances are over with. 

"We're still a good team. Obviously I was a big contributor but we still have Kai (Sotto), Carl (Tamayo) and (Shaun) Chiu. So we still have players who can do stuff. As long as they play with heart I will be there supporting them the whole time. I am just going to enjoy watching these guys represent us," Edu added.

FIBA