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Justin Brownlee headlines Gilas' pool for the FIBA World Cup February window. Dennis Acosta (file photo) |
MANILA—As highly anticipated, Justin Brownlee is set to make his Gilas debut in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers February window as he has been inserted into the 24-man pool for the national team's two-game home stand at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced on Friday that Brownlee is part of the pool that will be in consideration for Gilas' games against Lebanon and Jordan on Feb. 24 and 27.
The six-foot-five swingman was placed as a power forward, joining Ginebra teammate Japeth Aguilar, Ryukyu's Carl Tamayo, La Salle's Kevin Quiambao, and incoming Ateneo freshman Mason Amos.
Brownlee and Aguilar are not the only Gin Kings in the pool as Scottie Thompson, the breakout player for Gilas in the fifth window, and Jamie Malonzo are also called up.
The other returning players are San Miguel's CJ Perez and June Mar Fajardo, Shiga's Kiefer Ravena, Meralco's Chris Newsome, and Raymond Almazan, TNT's RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana, Nagoya's Ray-Ray Parks, Hokkaido's Dwight Ramos, San-En's Thirdy Ravena, NorthPort's Arvin Tolentino, Adelaide's Kai Sotto, and unattached players Ange Kouame and LeBron Lopez.
Meanwhile, Nagasaki's Jordan Heading has been added to the pool, a potential sign that he and the SBP have already patched things up after Heading decided to take his talents to Taiwan instead of honoring his Gilas contract.
On the other hand, Adamson coach Nash Racela got his wish granted as King Falcon Jerom Lastimosa made the cut too with Amos and La Salle's Schonny Winston also getting their first Gilas pool call-up.
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