Gilas Pilipinas’ Justin Brownlee during a game against Chinese Taipei in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Justin Brownlee played his first game in the Philippines after ten months away on Sunday at Philsports Arena and he would have to wait awhile before playing on home soil again.
With Brownlee unable to suit up in the upcoming PBA Philippine Cup, the naturalized Filipino center is likely to take his act overseas until the next Gilas Pilipinas assignment.
“He’s had offers to go play overseas because we’ll be All-Filipino and we’re perfectly fine with that,” said coach Tim Cone after their 106-53 win over Chinese Taipei in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers.
“If he goes and plays somewhere, Europe, Japan, Korea or the Middle East, he’ll be available for the window because he’s our naturalized player. If he goes to play [away] and he’s got a contract in June, July or August, he’ll still be able to come back and join us for the window so we’re all for him going out and staying in shape.”
Brownlee flashed his talents in front of the Filipino crowd like usual on Sunday as he helped Gilas earn the 53-point blowout while helping on all ends of the court.
The long-time Gin Kings import dominated with 26 points and 13 rebounds.
Even the 35-year-old himself said that going overseas will be of a big help in staying in shape while he waits for a Gilas call-up before July.
“I just really want to stay in game shape and don’t want to take too much time off,” said Brownlee to reporters after the win..
Cone, though, said that Brownlee ha committed with Ginebra again after missing out on last year’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup due to a voluntary three-month suspension.
“He’ll definitely be with us with Ginebra in the next conference. He’s already locked in for that but in the meantime he’s looking at offers and he’ll probably be away to play for a while,” Cone said.
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As of writing, Brownlee still hasn’t announced his next destination.
