''I just hope I can make Filipinos proud'' - AJ Edu

MANILA (Philippines) - The Philippines are feeling good about their chances to make noise at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2019, and one big reason is the presence of athletic forward Ariel John "AJ" Edu.

The lanky 6ft 11in (2.10m) 19-year-old actually spent much of his childhood outside Asia, being raised in Cyprus and Wales. And though both countries are not exactly hotbeds of hoops, AJ remembers his time in those places well. He saw action for AEL Limassol while in Cyprus before joining the Bristol Flyers and Swansea Storm in Wales.

''It's a huge honor to wear the Philippines jersey''AJ Edu

 
"I was very fortunate to be in Cyprus and Wales at a time when basketball was, I'd say, gaining popularity at the junior level," Edu said. "In Cyprus, I played with a few players who have gone on to play in Greece now. I was lucky to be with really good coaches as well. I was blessed to be in the right place at the right time."

Much of what AJ knows about the game he learned from his father, Ayotunde, who met AJ's mother, Josie Litang, a native of Surigao City in southern Philippines, while teaching mathematics and physics in Cyprus. Ayotunde used to play the game back home in Nigeria and also became a high school basketball coach when the family moved to Wales. For AJ, his father's support has been very important in helping him get to where he is now.

"My dad never really forced me to play basketball. It was all up to me," he shared. "At first, I actually wanted to play football, but seeing how tall I was getting, I knew that basketball would be the better option. My dad's just always been that guy who can guide me whenever I have questions and motivate me in times when I'm not feeling so good. He instilled the work ethic in me, and he really helped me have a bright future."

A bright future is certainly beckoning for AJ, who first donned the Philippines' colors two years ago at the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup 2017 in Chengdu, China. AJ was one of the darlings of that tournament, giving the Filipinos a solid anchor in the middle, and he remembers that stint with a lot of fondness.

 
"The big thing I learned from previously representing the country, especially in the 3x3 two years ago, was the great feeling of just playing for the Philippines," he said. "It was a surreal feeling, and I'm not gonna lie, I felt a bit of pressure in that tournament. But that helped me get more experience and build my confidence while feeling so good playing for my country."

Edu is coming fresh off his first year at the University of Toledo in the United States college basketball, where he was named to the All-Freshman Team of the Mid-American Conference after finishing second in the conference in blocks with 1.8 rejections per contest.

"The biggest thing I learned playing for Toledo was having to play both offensively and defensively against really quick, athletic and tall players," he explained. "These were guys who were 2-3 years older than me. In the U19 World Cup, I expect to face players who are really strong and quick just like (the players in college), so it won't shock me. I feel I'm well adjusted to that kind of competition already."

 
Edu also had great numbers in last year's FIBA U18 Asian Championship 2018 in Nonthaburi, Thailand, recording averages of 14.2 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game, which was second-best in the entire competition.

Looking ahead, Edu just wants to continue representing the Philippines as well as he can, and he hopes he can reward the faith his country men have invested in him by giving them a performance to remember.

"I mean, just seeing the passion that this country has for basketball ... it's a huge honor to wear the Philippines jersey," he said. "Just going around, I can see makeshift hoops, people playing all over. The love for basketball is just crazy. I'm really proud to represent my country, and I just hope I can make the people proud as well."

 
The Philippines are grouped with Argentina, Russia and hosts Greece at the U19 World Cup, which will be played in the city of Heraklion from June 29 to July 7.

FIBA