Gilas Pilipinas and PBA player Jamie Malonzo in during a national team practice. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas will be welcoming back its young guns back in the lineup just in time for the Doha International Cup and the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers.
After long layoffs due to injuries, athletic forward Jamie Malonzo and youthful big man AJ Edu will be making their returns tp the national team’s roster in high spirits.
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“It feels amazing to be able to wear this jersey and represent the flag again. It’s been a long time coming, like eight to nine months,” said Malonzo.
“Now that I’m back I’m finally excited to put on this jersey, show the fans what I can do and represent the flag well to come out there and fight for the country.”
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Malonzo last put on the Gilas kit in February of last year in the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers’ first window game against Hong Kong.
In that game, he racked up 11 points on an efficient 50 percent field goal shooting clip. Since then, though, the Ginebra high-flyer battled a calf injury that had sidelined for over a year.
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Gilas Pilipinas AJ Edu taking photos with fans after the national team practice. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Edu, however, hasn’t played a game with Gilas in the Asia Cup Qualifiers.
The Japanese B.League Filipino import will be making his return in the third window of the qualifiers after missing national duty for almost two years.
“It’s a real blessing. It’s always such a blessing to represent the country and it’s been a long time since 2023 and it’s 2025 now,” bared Edu.
“It’s just a real privilege and an honor. I’m really excited to be back on the hardwood, representing the Philippines,” he added.
The returns of both Edu and Malonzo will certainly be of significance now, especially since Gilas is missing the services of star big man, Kai Sotto, who’s currently out with a torn ACL injury.
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“It’s going to be a tough tournament but like we’ve been saying, we want it tough. Dare I say that it’s tougher because we don’t have Kai,” said coach Tim Cone.
