MANILA, Philippines — Justin Brownlee’s availability for Gilas Pilipinas’ fourth window campaign in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers remains uncertain, with head coach Tim Cone saying the naturalized player is unlikely to suit up.
Averaging 22 points per game, Brownlee had been included in the national team pool for the upcoming window and had returned to Manila to join Gilas’ preparations. However, Cone has now indicated that the veteran forward may not be ready to play in the crucial games against Jordan and Iran.
If Brownlee is ruled out, Gilas will go into the window without a naturalized player. Ange Kouame and Bennie Boatwright are also unavailable, leaving Cone to rely on an all-Filipino lineup.
The Philippines is scheduled to face Jordan on Aug. 28 and Iran on Aug. 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The two games are important to Gilas’ bid to advance in the second round of the World Cup qualifiers, where the Philippines is in a tough group with Iran, Jordan and Syria.
Gilas, however, received a major boost with the return of 7-foot-3 center Kai Sotto, who is set to make his comeback to the national team after nearly two years away.
Sotto last played for Gilas in November 2024 and is expected to provide added size and firepower to a team facing two formidable opponents in the upcoming window. Cone has described the former NBA player as a potential game-changer for the national team.
Brownlee’s status for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games next month is also uncertain. He remains part of the larger pool for the continental competition, although Cone is expected to make a separate decision on the final roster.
For now, Gilas must prepare for the possibility of playing its next two World Cup qualifying games without the player who helped the Philippines win the men’s basketball gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games.
The team will have to make the most of its available local talent as it enters a critical stretch of its World Cup qualification campaign.
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