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Tim Cone knows Justin Brownlee needs rest as he is set to play for Gilas Pilipinas just after leading Barangay Ginebra to a finals appearance in the PBA Governors’ Cup
MANILA, Philippines – Tim Cone has no one but Justin Brownlee in mind to reinforce Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Cone, though, acknowledged that decision isn’t his to make, knowing Brownlee needs rest as the beloved import is set to play for Gilas Pilipinas just after leading the Gin Kings to a finals appearance in the Governors’ Cup.
Brownlee will only have a few days to take a break before he returns to action in the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, where the Philippines will host New Zealand and Hong Kong on November 21 and 24, respectively.
“The question is whether he wants to be. He’s a little worn down. He’s talked about maybe taking the conference off. But we’ll see,” said Cone.
“Give him a week or two to rest and maybe he’ll change his tune.”
Brownlee played 10 straight import conferences for Ginebra from 2016 to 2023, helping the franchise capture six championships.
His streak, though, ended when he missed the Commissioner’s Cup last season as he served a three-month suspension after failing a doping test following Gilas’ golden run in the Asian Games.
But Brownlee immediately got back to work once he got cleared to play again in February.
He has been playing non-stop basketball since, suiting up for Gilas in the first window of the Asia Cup Qualifiers, joining Pelita Jaya in the Indonesian Basketball League, then reuniting with the Gin Kings for the Governors’ Cup.
Brownlee and Ginebra reached the finals, but they succumbed to Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and TNT anew as the Tropang Giga defended their Governors’ Cup title following a 95-85 comeback win in Game 6 on Friday, November 8.
A week after the PBA finals, Brownlee and the national team will reconvene on November 15 to start preparations for the second window of the Asia Cup Qualifiers.
Then up next on the calendar is the Commissioner’s Cup, which will kick off on November 27.
“It’s a little unfair for him at this point. He played in Indonesia, he got here, had to have this long conference, and then now he has to do Gilas, and he has to go to the next conference,” said Cone.
“That’s really going to be on him. It’s his choice. We’re not going to make that decision for him. He’s going to decide on his own whether he wants to play or not.”
“At this point, we’re not looking at all for a backup. We don’t have anybody in mind,” Cone added.
Unbeaten in Group B with a 2-0 record, Brownlee and Gilas hope to sweep visiting New Zealand and Hong Kong to inch closer to an Asia Cup berth. – Rappler.com
