AJ Edu keeps Gilas in mind as he learns from NBA greats | ABS-CBN

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AJ Edu keeps Gilas in mind as he learns from NBA greats

AJ Edu keeps Gilas in mind as he learns from NBA greats

Report from Steve Angeles,

ABS-CBN News

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Updated Feb 19, 2018 09:10 PM PHT

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LOS ANGELES – The rest of the world is catching up to the United States when it comes to basketball, and about a quarter of the NBA is made up of foreign players.

This is a welcome development for foreign players, with Indiana's Domantas Sabonis saying that it's "great for the league to have international players."

One path to the NBA has been through the league's Basketball Without Borders (BWB) program. During the 2018 All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, BWB brought 67 teenagers, representing 36 countries, for a three-day camp.

Among the world's top youth players is Britain-based Filipino-Nigerian teenager AJ Edu.

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"It's been an amazing experience, really, playing with such a high level competition," said the 18-year-old Edu, who already stands at 6-foot-10. "It's probably the highest level I've played in."

"It's been amazing, some great coaches. I got to meet NBA players. Overall, a great experience," he added.

Edu is not just trying to make a name for himself through the camp; he's also doing it for the Philippines.

Earlier this year, Edu was named to the #23for23 pool of Gilas Pilipinas, meaning he has a chance to represent the country in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

"That's also on my mind," said Edu. "I'm obviously really delighted to be selected for the World Cup 2023 initial squad, so I'm also working towards that as well."

Edu now brings his newly acquired skills back to England, where he will finish his senior year of high school. He will most likely attend college in the United States.

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.

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UAAP: Maroons, now 2-0, eye further improvement as they target more wins, says Bocboc

UAAP: Maroons, now 2-0, eye further improvement as they target more wins, says Bocboc

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

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UP women's volleyball coach Benson Bocboc. UAAP Media

MANILA, Philippines – UP Fighting Maroons have already surpassed their win output last season, gaining back-to-back wins at the expense of the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23, in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

They only had one win in Season 86 — but this time, the Katipunan-based squad made sure to overcome themselves quickly in just the first two games.

Not just that, the Maroons scored their first win against the Lady Tams in two years.

Coach Benson Bocboc, who joined the UP crew just October last year after a long stint as part of La Salle's coaching staff, stressed that the Maroons are just getting started.

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Bocboc said their goal is to improve further this season in all aspects of the game — in defense, blocking, among others.

"Ang goal namin, dire-diretso. 'Yung depensa na 'yan, 'yung block na 'yan, lahat 'yan tuloy-tuloy. Ayon 'yung tinatrabaho namin," said the winning coach.

Bocboc also lauded the defensive-minded Maroons during their contest against the Lady Tams, saying that the youthful squad would do anything to keep the ball alive.

"Sa tingin ko natural sila, pagdating ko 'di naman ako nahirapan kasi humahabol talaga sila ng bola at dumedepensa talaga sila. Gusto nila maglaro ng volleyball — 'yon naman nakakatuwa sa mga young(er) generation na upcoming, talagang wala silang pakialam kung masaktan sila, basta maitaas 'yung bola."

They also intend to make it three wins in row as they face a depleted but motivated Ateneo side this Saturday.

"Nakita ko kanina 'yung Ateneo laban sa NU. So, matibay 'yung Ateneo. 'Di rin naman bumibigay hanggang dulo. So kami rin, magtatrabaho rin kami laban sa Ateneo — 'di rin kami titigil," Bocboc said.

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