If Gilas Pilipinas is to have any chance at beating New Zealand on Friday, it will need Justin Brownlee to bounce back from his poor showing against the Tall Blacks the last time around.
Brownlee Kept in Check in the Last Window
Back in February, during the second window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Brownlee managed only 4 points on 2-for-10 shooting in Gilas’ 69-66 loss to New Zealand. Notably, JB looked uncomfortable against the Tall Blacks’ physical, in-your-face defense, which included hard double-teams.
It appears Brownlee has learned his lesson and is preparing accordingly.
“We know that they’re a physical team,” Brownlee said of the Tall Blacks. “We got to match up their physicality and understand how to play through that. Just be aggressive. No matter what they do as far as guarding us, we just have to be aggressive.”
That all starts with the 38-year-old Barangay Ginebra San Miguel super import, who will likely face the same physical defense he encountered in February. The onus is on JB to match that physicality and figure it out—and if he does, Gilas might have a shot at a massive upset.
Tim Cone Looks to Keep Kabayan Fresh
Then again, if Brownlee is to be aggressive on Friday, he will need to be fresh and close to 100% fit. Remember, he is still just days removed from an incredibly taxing PBA Commissioner’s Cup, where he played 26 total games, including 13 grueling ones against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and TNT Tropang 5G in the semis and finals. That’s not to mention the mileage already on those 38-year-old legs.
Fully aware of JB’s critical role in Gilas’ chances during this third window, Tim Cone is doing what he can to give his old reliable as much rest and recovery as possible ahead of the big games versus New Zealand and Australia.
“Justin is fine. We’re just making sure he stays fresh. He has the whole work-up of recovery every day,” Cone told The Manila Times.
On Sunday, in Gilas’ tune-up game against the Manawatu Jets, Cone stayed true to this plan as he sat out the seven-time PBA champion. It did not matter, as the rest of the nationals clobbered the Jets, 90-61, while Brownlee played cheerleader.
