JUSTIN Brownlee has joined Gilas Pilipinas practice reinvigorated and a lot fresher following a lengthy injury break.
Brownlee hasn’t been in action since March 28 when Barangay Ginebra lost to TNT in overtime, 87-83, in Game 7 of the 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup Finals. Ginebra's resident import has since undergone surgery on a dislocated right thumb.
READ Cone first to admit wear and tear a problem that needs solving for Gilas
The 37-year-old Brownlee revealed he is raring to go after months away from basketball gave him all the opportunity torest and recharge.
“Good to be back in the Philippines. Good to be back with the team. I’m doing great,” said Brownlee in an interview with SPIN.ph following a recent practice.
When asked how his thumb is healing, Brownlee wagged it to show that it has regained its full range of movement.
“I can work on my thumb. Glad everything went well. The surgery went great. I’m doing good. Good and healthy,” said Brownlee.
Brownlee said he didn’t have any problems with the rehabilitation, except that he can’t do any physical activities that require the use of his hands.
“The only thing is it was restricted around two months, not to play basketball, no impact on the thumb. It was fairly easy. Just got some well-needed rest because of it and enjoying the time off, try to do my best to just do what the doctors say, don’t keep it moving, and that’s pretty much it,” said Brownlee.
Game 7 of the Commissioner’s Cup Finals marked the end of a long stretch of basketball for Brownlee that also saw him play in Indonesia for Pelita Jaya aside from his Gilas duties, so the break was a welcome one.
“It was definitely much-needed rest. I had a lot of time to recover. I had a couple of nagging little injuries, the thumb, my hip, the ankle. It probably comes with age. I’m just feeling very blessed to be feeling back healthy and still go out there and give it my all,” said Brownlee.
Aside from healing up, Brownlee also had a chance to spend time with his family especially his kids Justin Jr. and Jai who are also playing sports.
READ Rhenz Abando says answering Gilas call a no-brainer
“Justin, he's been very busy with AAU so I tried to watch him play some. And also Jai. He is getting into sports as well. I was trying to keep up with their stuff and try not to focus on me as much. But also I also tried to stay in some type of shape, stuff like that, staying in shape and focus on family,” said Brownlee.
Gilas is now conducting everyday practices in the lead-up to the FIBA Asia Cup. It is scheduled to play a send-off game against Macau Black Bears on July 28.
“We are just ready. I like our chances and I like the group of guys that are coming after the PBA Finals. I’m excited,” said Brownlee.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
