JUSTIN Brownlee will not play on Monday for Gilas Pilipinas in its FIBA World Cup Asian qualifier against Australia due to multiple injuries.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas made the announcement on the eve of the away match, saying Brownlee is nursing a hamstring strain and peroneal tendinopathy on his right leg as well as swelling and cartilage defects on the left knee.
READ Tall Blacks leave Brownlee battered and bruised in grueling scheme
The Barangay Ginebra resident import and Gilas naturalized player has been ruled out just days after struggling with only five points on three shots in the Philippines' 106-102 double overtime defeat at New Zealand last Friday.
His non-availability reduced Gilas' lineup to 11 players since coach Tim Cone opted not to bring a reserve or alternate for the road trip.
Brownlee was the focal point of the Tall Blacks’ defense, and was limited to only a jump shot and a three-point basket, which came in the final two minutes of the second overtime that got Gilas in front, 100-96.
READ Ginebra problem as Brownlee injuries could 'take weeks to heal'
Gilas, however, failed to hold on after committing mistakes including Brownlee, who was called for an unsportsmanlike foul that essentially gave New Zealand the victory.
Friday's match vs the Tall Blacks' was Brownlee’s first after 16 days, or since Game 7 of the PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup Finals on June 17. Brownlee didn’t play in the two tune-up games in the lead-up to the New Zealand game in Auckland.
Brownlee's absence compounds the woes of Gilas in the match against unbeaten Australia, which holds a 5-0 head-to-head edge heading to the match at Perth Arena.
The Philippines dropped to third place in Group A with a 2-3 slate after the loss to the Tall Blacks, although all three squads are already through to the second round.
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