JUSTIN Brownlee promised to give New Zealand and Australia a good fight in the looming Window 2 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
READ: NZ's Ngatai, Smith-Milner out to stand tall anew vs Gilas
Brownlee acknowledged the coming matches tp be the toughest on the Gilas Pilipinas schedule, but being familiar to facing highly-ranked opponents and playing at home could factor in the two games.
“It’s a tough window,” the 37-year-old Brownlee said after a recent practice. “Of course, you know Australia and New Zealand, two tough competitors that we have to go up against. So we got our hands full. I think it’s going to be maybe our toughest window right here.”
“No doubt it’s going to be tough for us. But I’m excited. This team, we thrive when it’s a challenge ahead and I think everybody is going to be ready. Coach Tim [Cone] is definitely going to have us ready.
"Just looking forward to it to keep building with the team, get some more chemistry, and just going out there having some fun and just showing the fans a great fight.”
Gilas homecourt advantage
As far as fans go, Brownlee hopes Filipinos would come out in full force just like in their road games.
“It’s definitely going to help us a lot. Of course, kind of wherever we go, we’re playing in front of Filipino fans. The fans always be that extra, that sixth man on the court for us. Whenever we’re down or if we don’t have really that high intensity spirit, the fans always give it to us. We are definitely looking forward to that support,” he said.
The Gilas naturalized player will head into the FIBA window with an opportunity to get himself in shape ahead of time, as he played for Meralco in the EASL, giving him a few games up his sleeve before national team duties.
The stint with the Bolts was beneficial after a bout of illness - pneumonia, to be specific - that also led to him missing a few games during the EASL.
“That definitely helped me a lot as far as when it comes to fitness. I definitely think I'm a long way to go as far as where I normally am. Just had a couple of health issues the past couple of months when I was taking some time off, so I didn't get really a chance to work out how I wanted to," he said.
"But I think I'm getting there slowly but surely… And by the time we play Australia and New Zealand, I’ll be closer to my peak form.”
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