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FIBA Asia Under 18: Newcomers AJ Edu, Dalph Panopio leading way for Batang Gilas

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/sports/08/08/08082018-fiba-asia-under-18.jpg"/><figcaption>AJ Edu (left) and Dalph Panopio have been a revelation for Batang Gilas in the FIBA Under 18 Asian Championship in Bangkok. FIBA website</figcaption></figure></div>The two first-timers on the Philippine boys national basketball team have been impressive so far in the FIBA Under 18 Asian Championship in Bangkok.Center AJ Edu is averaging 15.3 points and 11.3 rebounds for Batang Gilas, while swatting a tournament-best 3.7 blocks.His rebounding average is third overall in the competition.With his presence and his partnership with Kai Sotto, the Filipinos boast a formidable interior defense.In their win against China on Tuesday, 6-foot-11 Edu and 7-foot-1 Sotto each rejected a shot in the last minute of the game to help Batang Gilas come away with a 73-63 win for an outright seat in the quarterfinals.Edu has also allowed Sotto to get ample rest.In Batang Gilas&#x27; stint in the FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup, Sotto averaged 29 minutes; in Thailand, that&#x27;s down to a manageable 22.6 minutes.Dalph Panopio is the other Batang Gilas newcomer who has been turning heads.He is averaging 10.3 points and a team-high 4.7 assists, while shooting 44.4% percent from 3-point territory (4 of 9).Although the turnovers (4.0 a game) need to be taken care of, the 6-foot-1 Panopio has been a solid table-setter for coach Josh Reyes, a rare Filipino playmaker with size.Batang Gilas next plays Bahrain in the quarterfinals on Thursday.(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.)

Edu is averaging a double-double, while Panopio has proven to be a solid playmaker.

Edu is averaging a double-double, while Panopio has proven to be a solid playmaker.