GILAS Pilipinas coach Tim Cone acknowledged the exceptional effort of New Zealand to limit Justin Brownlee’s production in their FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers qualifier on Thursday night.
Brownlee was held to only four points on 2-of-10 shooting from the field in Gilas’ 69-66 defeat to the Tall Blacks - its first loss in Group A after two wins against Guam in the first window.
The four-point game was one of Brownlee's worst scoring game in in FIBA competition with Gilas. He once had eight points against Iraq in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
READ Strong, disciplined New Zealand survives last-gasp Gilas comeback
Although Cone acknowledged Brownlee contributions on the defensive end, he admitted the Gilas naturalized player never got comfortable with his offensive game.
“(New Zealand) did a really good job of doubling Justin, denying him touches,” Cone said. “People are going to point at the game and say he only had four points. But that was strictly through the game planning of New Zealand,” said Cone.
Cone said the offensive game of Dwight Ramos and Cjay Perez nearly made up for Brownlee’s struggles after they combined for 31 points. But in the end, Gilas missed the clutch baskets that Brownlee usually provides come the endgame.
“We needed other guys to step up. Cjay did and Dwight did. But when it came down to big plays, making a big shot, we weren’t able to do that at crucial times,” said Cone.
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