Brownlee tweaks ankle during Gilas practice

As the nation tuned in on President Bongbong Marcos’ state of the nation address (SONA) on Monday, which was also declared a non-working day for government workers due to the threat of a typhoon, 17 members from the pool still showed up as Gilas Pilipinas continues its 2023 FIBA World Cup buildup.

Justin Brownlee PHOTO BY RIO DELUVIO 

Naturalized player Justin Brownlee and TNT big man Poy Erram were nursing separate injuries.

Gilas physical therapist Dexter Aseron shared that the 6-foot-4 Brownlee tweaked his ankle.

On the other hand, the 6-foot-8 Erram needed to rest his knee.

“Brownlee tweaked his ankle the other day while Poy is resting his knee,” Aseron told The Manila Times.

Reigning PBA Most Valuable Player Scottie Thompson is also currently rehabbing his shooting hand after sustaining a metacarpal fracture during the tailend of Gilas’ training in Lithuania over two weeks ago.

Other than Brownlee, Erram and Thompson, who still showed up in practice, others who trained Monday include June Mar Fajardo, Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Bobby Ray Parks, Calvin Oftana, Roger Pogoy, Japeth Aguilar, Rhenz Abando, CJ Perez, Thirdy Ravena, and Kiefer Ravena, Jamie Malonzo, Chris Newsome and Ange Kouame.

Gilas is scheduled to leave for China on Aug. 1, and participate in a pocket tournament where the national team battles Iran, Lebanon and Senegal.