IT’S final: Justin Brownlee will no longer be part of Gilas Pilipinas in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino confirmed the development on Friday, dampening Gilas Pilipinas' bid to bring its high-scoring naturalized player to the SEA Games in Thailand.
“Definitely, wala na si Brownlee and [Ange] Kouame. Pero si Koaume, nasa 3x3,” said Tolentino in an interview with reporters after the athletes’ send-off bound for the Southeast Asian Games.
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Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy also confirmed that there will be no Brownlee for Gilas at the SEA Games for the second straight time.
Meanwhile, Jamie Malonzo looms as one of the players that will serve as a replacement for the spots left by Brownlee and Kouame.
Tolentino implied that Malonzo’s status was still in doubt on Friday. Malonzo is on the list of athletes submitted by the Philippine Olympic Committee to the SEA Games.
“Wala pa akong update… Sabi nila (hindi kasali). Hindi ko alam kung bakit,” said Tolentino.
But Dy allayed fears about Malonzo’s status, saying that he has already been given the green light by the Thailand SEA Games organizers.
Malonzo has been playing as a local for Gilas, and is part of the main pool under head coach Tim Cone.
SPIN.ph learned that Abra Weavers center and PBA Season 50 No. 1 draft pick Geo Chiu is also listed in the Gilas Pilipinas roster that was submitted to the Thailand SEA Games organizing committee.
Tolentino, however, isn't too worried about the situation of the Gilas team bound for the biennial meet.
“May nakatago naman ang Gilas diyan eh. Tayo pa rin (ang gold),” said Tolentino.
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