MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines will not lack for height when it competes in the FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship next week in Nonthaburi, Thailand.

Besides having the 6-foot-8 Geoffrey Chiu and 6-foot-7 Raven Cortez, Batang Gilas will also feature the Twin Towers of AJ Edu and Kai Sotto, who stand at 6-foot-11 and 7-foot-1, respectively.

"Pwede i-kumpara natin sa any PBA team ang average height ng team na 'to," said Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. president Ronald Mascariñas, one of the chief backers of the Batang Gilas team. "Mas matangkad ang mga bata na 'to compared to any PBA team."

Edu and Sotto are already looking forward to their partnership on the court, especially after building a budding friendship off it.

"Si AJ, maayos kasama," said Sotto during the team's sendoff ceremony on Thursday afternoon. "Tahimik lang talaga siya, kasi minsan nahihiya, pero maloko din. Maayos siya kasama."

Edu agrees.

"The relationship between me and Kai is good on and off the court," said Edu, who previously represented the Philippines in a FIBA 3x3 event but will play for flag and country in a 5-on-5 setting for the first time. "I really like him, and I'm really looking forward to playing with him as well."

Sotto has long wanted to team up with Edu, ever since Edu practiced with their Ateneo team. Now that their partnership has materialized, Sotto is anticipating that they can make a big impact for Batang Gilas.

"Excited na ako na makalaro siya," said Sotto.

"Marami kayong makikita 'pag pinagsabay kami, kasi parang kahit parehas kami na big man, iba rin ang nagagawa namin," he added. "Mararamdaman 'yun, lalo na sa defense kasi parehas kaming rim protectors."

Edu is confident that he and Sotto won't get in each other's way inside the court, as he is set to play power forward while Sotto will take on his usual role as center.

"I think we'll link well, with him being the 5 and me being the 4," said Edu. "Yeah, it will be good."

Sotto, already considered one of the best young big men in Asia, is also looking forward to learning from his towering teammate. Edu, two years older than Sotto and already committed to University of Toledo, is one of the oldest members of the under-18 squad.

"Special siya na player," Sotto said of Edu. "Matangkad siya, athletic, malaking bagay siya. Malaki 'yung maitutulong niya. Matutulungan niya ako, matutulungan niya rin 'yung team."

"At ako, para sa akin, marami rin akong matututunan sa kanya," he added.

The team will fly to Thailand on Friday afternoon, and begin its campaign against Lebanon on August 5. The top four teams in the tournament will advance to the FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup next year.

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