Tim Cone explains why Justin Brownlee did not play at Asian Games

MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone gave an update on the status of Justin Brownlee, after he was unable to suit up for the national team at the Asian Games and has yet to return for Barangay Ginebra.

Cone was asked by senators on the absence of Brownlee at the continental showcase, where Gilas Men came in as defending champions in the men’s 5×5 basketball event.

Gilas Men eventually crashed out of the group stage with a 1-2 win-loss record, returning home even before the Asian Games officially opened on September 19.

Senate sports committee chairman Bong Go asked Cone to explain the absence of a naturalized player, specifically Brownlee, for Gilas Men at the Asian Games.

“It’s because of health situation. He’s had some… it’s not injury concerns. He’s had health concerns that’s why he is not playing for Ginebra at this time, and why he hasn’t played this conference,” Cone said at the Senate sports committee hearing on Thursday.  

Brownlee has yet to suit up for Ginebra since the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals Game 7 last June where the Gin Kings dethroned the TNT.

The Gilas naturalized player has also missed the last three games of the national team in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

“He’s had health concerns regarding blood pressure, heart issues. So he is not unable to play at this point,” Cone explained.

Cone likewise explained why Gilas was unable to send its FIBA World Cup Qualifiers core, citing issues wherein players were not released by their home teams since the Asiad is not part of the FIBA window.

“There’s no mechanism at this point that would allow these players to play or force them to come. Obviously the FIBA has a mechanism in terms of forcing players or allowing players, but that’s worldwide not just in Asia,” Cone explained.

“We have a unique situation because we’re one of the few countries that really exports our players. We can request to our players to put that in their contracts but there’s no mechanism that we have to force those players to do it, unless we can ask the players or their teams please allow us, but in this regard the teams have their own self-interests,” he said.

Naturalized players Ange Kouame could not play due to a contract in France and Bennie Boatwright has yet to get his passport after completing the naturalization process.

“All our three naturalized players on the long list were not allowed to play,” Cone said.

With Cone’s update on Brownlee’s health status, it remains unclear when the 7-time PBA champion and 4-time PBA Best Import will return not just for Gilas but for Ginebra. 

In their first six games in the PBA 50 Governors’ Cup, Ginebra has been reinforced by import Riley Grigsby as Brownlee continued to recover.

But a report on the PBA website said the Gin Kings have tapped new import Jordan Murphy to replace Grigsby.

The Puerto Rican forward is expected to make his debut for Ginebra on Friday, when they take on the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.