HAVING conquered the Asian Games two years ago, Gilas Pilipinas naturalized star Justin Brownlee is set to embark on a new odyssey for his beloved adopted country—rule the FIBA Asia Cup.
“It’s an incredible challenge. You got some really good teams out there. Now, I think we kind of have put Asia on notice as far as saying that we’re here and we really want to be able to compete,” Brownlee said. “The Philippines is growing and I think it’s got to a point where, like coach Tim (Cone) said, we want to be able to dominate Asian basketball.
“I think with the team we have, I think that’s very possible to do. It’s just going to take us an extremely amount of hard work and dedication from everybody to buy into that. With everybody doing that, I think it’s a bright future to be honest for the Gilas program,” he added.
The 6-foot-5 Brownlee and the rest of the Philippine five are set to do battle in the continental meet slated for Aug. 5 to 7 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The Nationals left for the Middle Eastern nation last night armed with a 103-98 decision over the Macau Black Bears in a send-off game last Monday night.
Brownlee, 37, has fully healed from a dislocated right thumb injury he suffered in the finals series of his Ginebra side against TNT in the last PBA Commissioner’s Cup four months ago.
Nothing beats his second—or even—his main home.
“It felt like I’m at home. It’s good to be back seeing the fans, it’s always special to see the way they support basketball,” Brownlee said.
“It’s always a great feeling and I’m just happy to get back with the team and doing what I love to do.
A tinge of a little bit of sadness can be Brownlee’s motivation—the appointment of long-time Kings teammate LA Tenorio as the new Magnolia strategist.
“I can’t believe that, man. But man, like what I told earlier when I was told of the news, to be honest, my nine years in the Philippines playing for Ginebra, I feel like LA has been my second coach on the floor, with obviously, Tim and the coaching staff. But you know what I mean, LA has been a coach ever since I’ve been here,” he said. “His moniker is “The Gineral” for a reason and I wish him nothing but the best. It’s like a bittersweet feeling.
“Obviously, Magnolia is Ginebra’s biggest rival and I can’t wait to see what “Manila Clasico” gonna be like, especially with LA now on the other side. I’m happy for him and I know he’s going to be a great coach. He’s going to do a great job there.”
