Justin Brownlee of Gilas Pilipinas during a Fiba Olympic qualifying game. -fiba photo
MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone has no doubt that Justin Brownlee will show up to the second window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers without any lack of motivation.
During a press conference in Mandaluyong on Wednesday, Cone said his recent conversation with Brownlee showed the Ginebra import’s eagerness to bounce back after falling short in the PBA Governors Cup Finals at the hands of TNT.
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As Cone says, there’s no better way for Brownlee to return to international level.
READ: Justin Brownlee joins Gilas vs New Zealand
“I think you’ll see a really motivated Justin in this game against New Zealand,” a confident Cone said.
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“Having spoken to him after the final, he is highly motivated and when you see him highly motivated, I don’t think anyone has anything to fear. He’s ready, he’ll be raring to go and I think he’ll do something really good for the country.”
Brownlee averaged 19.67 points, 7.33 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game in six games of the finals against Tropang Giga, but it was not enough to bring the crown to the Ginebra camp.
However, Brownlee showed his weakness in the last two games, which TNT took full advantage of.
Fans speculated whether or not the longtime Gin Kings import suffered an injury while competing for Ginebra, but Cone assured Gilas’ natural swingman was suffering no injuries.
READ: Gilas Pilipinas confident in home crowd support in FIBA qualifiers
“He struggled, we all struggled in that series and people started thinking he had injuries. It was just a tough, long playoffs, going through Meralco, SMB and then going up against TNT and RHJ, it was a tough road and we limped to the finish line,” Cone said.
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“Everyone saw us limping and assumed that’s usually how we are, but we’re not. Justin will have about eight, nine days off before coming back to work and I think that’s a big relief for him.
