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| Justin Brownlee's status for the Asian Games remains uncertain. Dennis Acosta (file photo) |
MANILA—Even if a slot is already reserved for him, Justin Brownlee's Gilas Pilipinas return remains questionable ahead of the Asian Games.
Speaking from Suwon, South Korea, head coach Tim Cone said on Thursday that Gilas is still awaiting word from Brownlee on whether he will be cleared just in time for the start of the men's 5x5 basketball tournament next week at the Aichi International Arena in Japan.
"We haven't had a confirmation yet from Justin whether he's gonna be here or not," Cone said in an online press conference.
Brownlee played through an injured leg during Gilas' double-overtime thriller against New Zealand in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
However, the lingering pain forced him to sit out the next game against Australia and later the entire fourth window, where Gilas scored much-needed wins at home against Jordan and Iran to stay alive in the race to Qatar.
The injury impact also spilled over to the PBA as Ginebra, also coached by Cone, brought in Riley Grigsby for the first half of the Governors' Cup.
However, after Gilas' Sunday night win against Iran in the WCQ, Cone said that Brownlee is medically cleared to return for the Asian Games.
Four days later, Cone said that Player 12 remains reserved for Brownlee.
"The door is still open for him. He's still working on clearances from hotels and airline tickets and the like. So we've kept that door spot open for Justin if he can make it," Cone said.
Although he kept mum on whether Kai Sotto is in consideration if Brownlee misses the flight, Cone said that he is ready to field only 11 players for the Asian Games.
"There is a chance," Cone curtly said when asked about the possibility of going only 11-strong.
However, he added that he remains optimistic about Gilas' quest for back-to-back Asian Games golds, considering how the Nationals still made the semifinals of the 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament despite missing Scottie Thompson.
"If you look back at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, we lost Scottie right before the tournament, and we ended up going with 11. We didn't miss a beat there, and I think we'll be fine," Cone further said.
He even said that he prefers going 11-strong in terms of managing their playing time.
"These guys are all willing to play extended minutes, and I think 11 is a really good number from a coaching standpoint in terms of not feeling like you have to force some guys who should be out there longer to play less because you want other guys to get satisfied," Cone further said.
"It's easier from a coaching standpoint having oftentimes less players than having more."
Three members from Gilas' WCQ pool, RJ Abarrientos, Balti Baltazar, and Justin Arana, will lead the national team's charge in its bid for a repeat of the historic 2023 conquest in Hangzhou, China that ended a 61-year gold medal drought for the Philippines in the Asian Games men's 5x5 basketball event.
Robert Bolick, the main man in Gilas' 2025 Southeast Asian Games gold medal conquest, also makes a return.
Brandon Bates, Jerrick Ahanmisi, Zav Lucero, Don Trollano, Brandon Rosser, Adrian Nocum, and Sedrick Barefield complete the 11-man local crew.
Gilas is in Suwon to face South Korea in a two-game friendly series as part of their buildup for the Asian Games.
