Gilas Pilipinas’ Justin Brownlee-MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Justin Brownlee didn’t look like he missed a beat in Gilas Pilipinas’ tune-up game against the Taiwan Mustangs on Monday.
Brownlee, who last played with Gilas in the first window of the 2025 Asia Cup Qualifiers in February, said his stint with Indonesian club Pelita Jaya in the Basketball Champions League helped him stay in top form.
“It’s been great for the Pelita Jaya. [It] definitely kept me in shape. [I’m] definitely having a great time there, we got a great team there in Indonesia, playing some international play in the BCL,” said Brownlee after Gilas’ 74-64 victory over Taiwan at Philsports Arena on Monday.
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“[It] definitely helped me out for this experience so it’s been great.”
Brownlee played his role to perfection on Monday, especially without Gilas’ chief playmaker Scottie Thompson, who was out due to a back injury.
Brownlee, the long-time Ginebra import, dropped 12 points, 15 assists, five rebounds and three steals to help give Gilas a winning send-off ahead of the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia.
The 36-year-old Brownlee averaged 21.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and two steals per game in his campaign in Indonesia.
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Gilas will expect a lot more from Brownlee especially with the absence of injured cogs Thompson, Jamie Malonzo and AJ Edu.
“That’s definitely a big blow for us. Obviously Scottie, Jamie and AJ, he didn’t play with us the last Fiba window. Those three guys definitely bring a lot to the table,” said Brownlee.
“It’s definitely gonna hurt us but we got some guys stepping up.”
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