Brownlee vows to go all out in Asiad

(UPDATE) GILAS naturalized player Justin Brownlee admitted he’s still working his way back as far as conditioning is concerned since undergoing a minor ankle procedure over a month ago.

But the 35-year-old Browlee said the thought of wearing the Gilas Pilipinas jersey once again brings so much excitement and energy as he tries to help the Philippines redeem itself from a one-win 2023 FIBA World Cup stint.

Justin Brownlee (right) PHOTO BY RIO DELUVIO 

“I’m very excited. It’s always an honor [to represent the Philippines],” Brownlee told One Sports’ Martie Bautista. “I’m excited with the guys on the team, some of the guys I haven’t been able to play with on Gilas squad or in the PBA, I’m excited all around.”

The 6-foot-4 Brownlee played for Gilas during its buildup for the FIBA World Cup in Estonia and Lithuania. By the time the team came back to Manila, then-national coach Chot Reyes announced that Jordan Clarkson will be Gilas’ naturalized player for the world basketball showpiece, while Brownlee will undergo surgery, and take his turn representing the Philippines in the Asian Games.

“I feel good, [still] not 100 percent coming from surgery [because it] takes time. I’m just trying to get back as much as I can. I feel good [with] minimal pain,” explained the six-time PBA champion.

“I think the main thing is to keep getting better and better with conditioning.”

Brownlee, who has been playing in the Philippines since 2016, said he’d like to approach the coming 19th Asian Games as a way to help Gilas “bounce back” since what Filipinos fans consider as a debacle for the national team in the World Cup.

“I’m definitely excited to have a bounce back. I think the guys did an incredible job,” he stressed. “Of course, we didn’t qualify for the Olympics like we wanted to and possibly win a medal, but I’m happy we can bounce back from that and represent the Philippines with pride and great honor.”

Brownlee averaged 18.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists as he led Gilas Pilipinas in regaining the gold in the Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball last May.