THE door remains slightly open for Justin Brownlee to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
A November 26 meeting scheduled by the Thailand Basketball Association has been set to clarify whether the SEA Games Organizing Committee would allow naturalized players to see action in the biennial meet including the 37-year-old Brownlee.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Dy disclosed the matter on Monday amidst the growing confusion on what rules the host country will be applying as far as naturalized players are concerned.
READ: Gilas Pilipinas faces Malaysia, Vietnam in SEA Games group stage
Apparently a new handbook was handed out by the SEAGOC contained two different paragraphs regarding naturalized players - the first one pertaining to a FIBA rule of obtaining a passport before turning 16 years old, and the second one of just presenting a passport of the country the player will represent.
"So that's what happened. In any case hindi pa rin malinaw," said Dy during the sendoff for Gilas Pilipinas in the coming FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
The SBP already submitted a lineup two weeks ago as required by the host country, and should Brownlee's inclusion not be questioned during the Nov. 26 meeting, then the three-time PBA Best Import is a go to play for Gilas.
"According to President Bambol Tolentino of the Philippine Olympic Committee, if we don't hear any comments from them by the 26th, then it means the lineup is approved," added the SBP official.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
