GINEBRA coach Tim Cone cannot wait to see what newly-naturalized Filipino Justin Brownlee will bring to the table for Gilas Pilipinas, convinced that his resident import’s journey as a “kabayan” is just starting.
“The journey’s still ongoing for Justin. This isn’t an end for him. He’s going to go to a whole new level, play internationally, and play for the national team. I know he’s so excited about that,” Cone said. “Again, I want to emphasize, he understands that he is the backup to Jordan Clarkson, and if Jordan’s available, he will most likely be the guy.
“But Justin is just so happy and honored for the opportunity to represent the country and to play. So, to me, this is not the end for him,” he added.
Cone, who assists Chot Reyes at Gilas, spoke after Ginebra whipped foreign guest team Bay Area 114-99 last Sunday night in their deciding match in the just-concluded PBA Commissioner’s Cup before a mammoth crowd at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
The 6-foot-5 Brownlee joined Fil-Am NBA player Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz and former Ateneo standout Ange Kouame in the pool of reinforcements to be tapped for international meets– not just FIBA-backed tourneys, but multi-sport tilts like the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia in May and the Asian Games in September.
Brownlee has averaged 28.17 points, 10.50 rebounds, and 7.17 assists per games averages in the pro league since 2016 and has won six titles in as many stints in the Big Dance.
Last week, President Marcos Jr. signed into law Republic Act 11937 granting Filipino citizenship to Brownlee, 34.
Brownlee’s work ethic stands out, according to Cone.
“He’s still got a whole new career ahead of him, playing for the national team, and I think that’s so special because he’s a special guy. He deserves it. He’s not only a great player, he’s a great representative,” he said.
“He’s going to represent the Philippines really well, with the way he carries himself, with the way he plays the game, with the way he acts with his teammates and the way he competes with the other team. He’s gonna be an example, and that’s why I’m so proud to have him on the national team.”
The charges of Reyes will take on Lebanon on Feb. 24 and Jordan three days later at the 55,000-seat Philippine Arena.
Gilas failed in its golden mission in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam last May and missed the quarterfinals of the FIBA Asia Cup in Jakarta for the first time since 2007 last July.
The Filipino cagers ripped Saudi Arabia 76-63 last November 76-63 in Group E action of the fifth window in Jeddah.
