GILAS Pilipinas coach Tim Cone said they are doing everything to make sure naturalized player Justin Brownlee stays fresh in time for next week’s big showdown versus New Zealand and Australia in a pair of road games in the final window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
The 38-year-old Brownlee is coming off a grueling PBA championship series two weeks ago, where he led Barangay Ginebra to the Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup title against TNT.
Brownlee averaged 36.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 45 minutes of action during the title series that ended with Ginebra winning the title in Game 7.
With long playing mileage on his legs and body, Cone knows they need Brownlee to be healthy to stay competitive against the Tall Blacks and the Boomers.
“Justin is fine. We're just making sure he stays fresh. He has the whole work up of recovery everyday,” Cone told The Manila Times.
Brownlee was a marked man in the second window last February in the Philippines’ home games at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The four-time PBA Best Import was held down to just four points on 2-of-10 shooting, missing all four of his after from three-point territory.
He did contribute six rebounds and two assists but Gilas bowed to New Zealand, 66-69.
Days after, Brownlee bounced back with 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, but Gilas suffered a 93-66 beating against Australia.
As of posting time, Gilas is scheduled to play NBL squad Manawatsu Jets in Wellington on Sunday.
The Filipinos then, play the Franklin Bulls on Tuesday, as part of their final friendly game.
Gilas faces New Zealand on July 3 in Auckland, followed by the big match against Australia in Perth. RICHARD DY
