AFTER a disappointing finals series in the PBA Governors’ Cup playing for Ginebra, Gilas Pilipinas naturalized star Justin Brownlee is raring to turn the corner.
National coach Tim Cone is convinced his prized 6-foot-5 forward is out to redeem himself, this time for Gilas in the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
“I was just saying, I think you’re all gonna see a really motivated Justin coming into this (game against) New Zealand,” Cone said. “He struggled, we all struggled in that series. People started thinking whether he had injuries or not.
“It was just a tough, long playoff going through Meralco, San Miguel and then having to go against TNT and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson,” he added.
The Filipino cagers hit the ground running today at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna to toughen up eight days before they resume their bid and clash with New Zealand on Nov. 21 and Hong Kong three days later both at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The pro league’s season-opening tilt ended last Nov. 8 with Cone and Brownlee’s Kings falling to the defending two-time champions TNT Tropang Giga 2-4 in the Big.
That should give Brownlee enough rest before the second round of the qualifiers.
“I think Justin’s gonna have about eight, nine days off before he gets back to work,” Cone said. “That’s gonna be a big breather for him. But after talking to him after the finals, he’s highly motivated. If you see Justin highly motivated? We’ve all seen him highly motivated in the past and what he could do.
So, I don’t think anybody really has anything to fear about Justin. He’s ready, he’ll be raring to go, and I think he’s gonna put up some real nice performances for the country coming up.”
Aside from Brownlee and fellow naturalized player Ange Kouame, reigning eight-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo, former MVP Scottie Thompson, Chris Newsome, CJ Perez, Calvin Oftana, Kevin Quiambao, and overseas-based standouts Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, and Carl Tamayo make up the pool.
The 7-foot-3 Sotto (concussion) and 6-foot-10 Edu (knee) are still recuperating from their injuries.
Cone ruled out Malonzo from suiting up for the squad after undergoing calf surgery while Japeth Aguilar and Mason Amos will serve as reserves.
Those doubting Brownlee should listen to Cone.
“I think the key was that he just needed time to rest his body and his mind, and you know, eight, nine days doesn’t seem like a lot of time. It’s not. I mean, but I think for Justin, it’s enough. I know him well,” he said. “I’ve known him for the last six, seven years. I see how he recovers, and I think that he’ll be primed.
“So, you know, I’m motivated to bounce back. But even more so, Justin’s motivated to bounce back. So, I’m looking forward to that. I’m looking forward to having him and like I said, when I have a motivated Justin, watch out.”
