CHICAGO — With Gilas Pilipinas practices going full throttle starting last Monday, one huge piece of the national team puzzle remains missing.
Where on God’s green earth is Justin Brownlee?
Mystery solved.
The PBA’s GOAT import is in sunny San Diego, California.
SCENARIOS: Will two losses in this FIBA window eliminate Gilas?
But he’s not just frolicking on the beach, he’s actually resting and recuperating from “multiple injuries” that include a bum ankle and hamstring issues, multiple sources told me.
These nicks and dings limited Brownlee during Ginebra’s PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup title turn last June.
Obviously, Gilas would rather he attend practice late but healthy instead of early but shaky.
“He’s a plug and play guy,” Gilas coach Tim Cone said while explaining that chemistry issues are not a concern because the naturalized Filipino already knows the system and personnel.
In other words, Justin had earned the privilege of coming in late. He’s done more heavy lifting for Gilas than a forklift.
Mike Phillips, QMB out
Meanwhile, Mike Phillips isn’t walking through the San Miguel practice facility for this FIBA window.
Ben Phillips, “Motor Mike’s” brother, reiterated that the former Green Archer is flying to Ohio for Ben’s August 29 wedding and will immediately head back to Japan to rejoin the Kyoto Hannaryz of the B.League.
But the missing parts, Quentin Millora-Brown included, have been immediately mitigated by the return of Kai Sotto to the lineup.
“Kai makes us so much better as a team,” Cone said, adding that playing the 7-foot-3 Sotto alongside AJ Edu is absolutely divine.
Mmm, sounds like heaven to Gilas fans.
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