GILAS Pilipinas coach Tim Cone is confident that Justin Brownlee can get back into game shape the soonest possible time following a bout with pneumonia.
Cone admitted Brownlee lost weight before coming back to Manila after the illness that also aborted his stint with Meralco in the EASL.
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The last time Brownlee played a competitive game was in Gilas’ final game at the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 when he had 10 points, three rebounds, and four assists in their 84-60 loss to Australia in the quarterfinals last August 13.
But Cone said Brownlee still has time to reach top form for the games against Guam on the road on November 28 and at home on December 1 at the Blue Eagle Gym.
“He is here. He is okay. He looks good,” said Cone. “He looks like he lost a little weight, which is probably good for him. He probably lost (weight) because he was sick more than from workout.”
“But he’s got some weight that he can gain over the next week or two and get back to playing shape,” said Cone.
Gilas will start training for the pair of games against Guam on Tuesday at the Blue Eagle Gym. And although he hasn’t seen Brownlee work out since he arrived, Cone said he isn’t too worried about his fitness.
“He didn’t work out with Ginebra yet. We had back-to-back games… Just physically, I’ve seen him. But I haven’t seen him play yet or work out. But you know, Justin is Justin. They don’t call him Magic Brownlee for nothing. He finds a way,” said Cone.
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