![Justin Brownlee from Gilas Philippines](https://sports.inquirer.net/files/2023/09/IMG_0215_Gilas-mens-and-womens-open-practice_Justin-Brownlee-620x413.jpg)
Justin Brownlee from Gilas Philippines. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
After taking a backseat to an NBA standout in the Fiba (International Basketball Federation) World Cup, Justin Brownlee is ready to be at the forefront of Gilas Pilipinas once again.
“I’m just excited to be in this position – to be able to represent the country again, on the international stage,” the tireless and beloved Barangay Ginebra standout told the Inquirer during one of the national team’s recent practices in the Phil Sports Arena in Pasig. City.
“The Asian Games are coming up, so I am ready to put on that shirt and represent the country to the best of my ability: on the basketball court and beyond in China,” he added.
Brownlee, an American who was granted Philippine citizenship earlier this year, will lead a star-studded team from the Philippine Basketball Association at the 19th Asian Games starting next week in Hangzhou, China.
Ready when needed
The Philippines open their bid against Bahrain on September 26, and Brownlee will not allow anything to stand in the way of a resounding Gilas return.
“I’m still working on getting that back to 100 percent,” he said of the left foot procedure to rid his ankle of bone spurs.
“It was a month ago and it takes time to get back, right? But despite all that, I am just ready to represent the country – and if not a hundred, then I will be close, by the time the Asian Games come,” he added.
Brownlee will have a week to expedite that process, which began on Saturday – with the national team returning to the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, where it will practice non-stop until September 21, as the program looks to recover from a failed attempt. bid for the recent World Cup.
Cone, who is once again in charge of Gilas on an interim basis, said the short camp in Laguna will focus on the fundamentals – a move he believes offers more value than playing friendlies.
“For me, the training is more important than the friendlies because we learn more through training than through matches,” he said. “We are going to be fundamental. We are going to be fundamental and reach every level we can by doing it the right way.”
Make no mistake, Cone also sees the importance of playing tuneup matches. Barring any changes, Gilas will essentially play against the Meralco Bolts at some point during his short stay with Inspire. The Nationals will also host Changwon LG Sakers in a free-to-air match on PhilSports on September 22, just before heading to China.
Despite the shrinking time for preparation, Cone – like his old hand Brownlee – is taking it easy.
“We’re trying to figure things out. We try to figure each other out. We are trying to understand our system. That’s just a daily thing that we do every day,” he said.
“We just feel like if we stay focused there, stay focused on our process, the idea of winning the gold will take care of itself.”
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