Justin Brownlee of Gilas Pilipinas during a Fiba Olympic qualifying match. – FIBA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone has no doubt that Justin Brownlee will show up in the second window of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers without any lack of motivation.
During a press conference in Mandaluyong on Wednesday, Cone revealed that his recent conversations 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.
Article continues after this ad
As Cone would say, there is no better way for Brownlee to bounce back than at the international level.
READ: Justin Brownlee joins Gilas against New Zealand
“I think you’re going to see a really motivated Justin coming into this game against New Zealand,” said a confident Cone.
Article continues after this ad
“After speaking to him after the final, he is very motivated and when you see him very motivated, I think no one has anything to fear. He is ready, he will be raring to go and I think he will perform very well for the country.
Brownlee averaged 19.67 points, 7.33 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game in the six-game Finals against the Tropang Giga, but it just wasn’t enough to take home the crown in camp from Ginebra.
However, in the last two games, Brownlee showed his vulnerability, which TNT took full advantage of.
Fans questioned whether or not the longtime Gin Kings import was hurt due to the way he competed for Ginebra, but Cone assured the naturalized Gilas swingman was not suffering from any injuries.
READ: Gilas Pilipinas banks on support from local crowd during Fiba qualifiers
“He struggled, we all struggled in this series and people started to think he was injured. It was just a long, tough playoff, going through Meralco, SMB and then having to face TNT and RHJ, it was a tough road and we limped to the finish line,” Cone said.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription was successful.
“Everyone saw us limping and assumed that’s how we usually are, but that’s not the case. Justin will have about eight, nine days off before he goes back to work and I think it’s a big break for him.
