Gilas braces for Asian Games without Justin Brownlee

MANILA — Gilas Pilipinas is preparing to defend its Asian Games crown without veteran naturalized player Justin Brownlee, with head coach Tim Cone saying the injured forward is no longer expected to join the national team for the continental tournament. 'We're not expecting Justin to join us anymore,' Cone said in a text message to Panay News. Brownlee had remained a possibility for the final spot on Gilas' Asian Games roster, but Cone's latest statement effectively ruled out the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings resident import as the Philippines prepares for its opening game against Bahrain on Sept. 11. The veteran forward has been dealing with hamstring and leg injuries that also forced him to miss the previous window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Brownlee's likely absence is a major blow to Gilas, which will have to navigate a demanding Asian Games schedule without one of its most experienced international campaigners. The national team is also monitoring the fitness of Justin Arana and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, who suffered ankle injuries during Gilas' friendly game against South Korea last Sunday. Cone, however, expressed confidence that both big men will be ready when the Philippines begins its campaign. 'Justin Arana is battling a sprained ankle, as well as Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, but we expect them to be ok by our first game on the 11th,' Cone said. Arana and Ganuelas-Rosser now have only a few days to recover before Gilas plunges into a grueling stretch of three games in four days. After facing Bahrain on Sept. 11, the Philippines battles Kazakhstan on Sept. 12 before taking on Asian powerhouse China on Sept. 14./PN