Tim Cone confident of Justin Brownlee rejoining Gilas soon

FILE–Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone and Justin Brownlee. –SBP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone showed rays of positivity on Justin Brownlee’s status to play again for the Philippines.

A couple of days ago, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Erika Dy said Brownlee has gone through a provisional or voluntary suspension but Cone reiterated that he’s “confident” about Brownlee’s inclusion in his new Gilas squad that is set to play in the Fiba Asia Cup qualification in February.

“We’re confident that Justin will be there. It’s not a lock but we’re confident that he’ll be there. If necessary, we’ll adjust. Like I said, we got a couple of guys injured right now,” the Ginebra coach said at Diamond Hotel on Monday for the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA)Awards Night.

“We will go in a little shorthand. I’m not the kind of coach who plays 12 guys anyway.”

After Cone’s coronation as the permanent coach of the national team, Brownlee was included in the list of players in his Pilipinas pool despite still awaiting a sanction from Fiba due to his doping incident after the Asian Games.

With uncertainty notwithstanding, Cone still included the long-time Gin Kings import in his lineup alongside fellow Ginebra swingmen Scottie Thompson and Jamie Malonzo.

As for the impending sanction for Brownlee, Cone said he and the SBP are expecting to hear something sometime this week.

“We expect to hear something this week. He’s part of the 12 right now but it’s still pending what happens with the Fiba sanctions. I’m really not sure how much I can talk about it without jeopardizing something that might turn it around.”

“The bottom line is that we were hoping that we’ve got good knowledge that we’ll hear something this week and we do think he will be available for the first window.”

Gilas Pilipinas’ next international run will be at the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers next month.