WILL Justin Brownlee be healthy enough to play for Gilas Pilipinas in the opening window of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers against Guam later this month?
The question certainly begs asking amid unconfirmed news that the 37-year-old Gilas naturalized player is down with pneumonia.
Brownlee apparently being sick is cited as the reason for his continued stay in the US and failing to suit up for Meralco in the Bolts' first two group games in the EASL Home and Away Season 3.
SOURCES SAY Whatever happened to Gilas plan to tap Slaughter?
In the three-time PBA Best Import's continued absence, the Bolts are now considering to replace him with fellow naturalized player Ange Kouame when the team faces Taoyuan Pauian Pilots at The Capital Arena in Ilagan, Isabela on Saturday.
The national team meanwhile, is expected to convene for the start of its practices for the qualifiers on Nov. 17, by which time the PBA Philippine Cup will take an 18-day break to give way to Gilas' FIBA campaign.
The Philippines will be playing Guam in the first window of the 2027 World Cup qualifiers on Nov. 28 at the UOG Calvo Field House in Guam.
Gilas then returns home and hosts Jericho Cruz and Guam on Dec. 1 at the Blue Eagle gym.
READ Kouame, Vahedi head to Ilagan with Meralco; no word on Brownlee
Brownlee last played for the country during the FIBA Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia where the Filipinos advanced to the quarterfinals, but lost to defending champion Australia.
Gilas eventually finished seventh overall.
Australia and New Zealand are also bracketed with the Philippines and Guam in Group A of the qualifiers.
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