No Brownlee for Gilas Pilipinas in Bangkok SEA Games

Sports

GILAS Pilipinas has just suffered a huge blow in its title-retention bid in the men’s 5x5 basketball tournament 33rd Southeast Asian Games slated next month in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Nationals will play without its best weapon as Justin Brownlee will not be able to suit up after the local organizing committe barred naturalized players from participating in the 5-on-5 basketball event.

The 37-year-old Brownlee was included in the lineup formed by head coach Norman Black but the ruling made him ineligible to play in the biennial meet.

Another player affected by the ruling is big man Ange Kouame, who was also part of Gilas 5x5 roster. Kouame will still be able to play for the country in the 3x3 competition where naturalized players are allowed to suit up.

Not is all lost for the Nationals as even without Brownlee, having the needed firepower may not still a problem for them.

Part of the team are Ray Parks Jr., Matthew Wright, Thirdy Ravena, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Jason Brickman, Dave Ildefonso and collegiate stars Mike Phillips, Kymani Ladi, and Veejay Pre.

The Philippines has been a dominant force in the SEA Games’ 5x5 men’s basketball tournament where it won 19 of the 22 events.

In 2023, Gilas copped the championship by beating Cambodia, 80-69, in their gold-medal match where Brownlee finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.(CCM)