While the door remains open for Justin Brownlee, Gilas Pilipinas is bracing for the possibility of entering the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, with an 11-man roster.
Gilas head coach Tim Cone revealed on Thursday that Brownlee’s status for the quadrennial meet remains uncertain, with the 38-year-old naturalized player still awaiting clearance from his doctors with just eight days left before their opening game against Bahrain.
Brownlee, who missed the fourth FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers window due to hamstring and leg injuries, remains in the United States as he continues his recovery and waits for medical clearance.
Meanwhile, Gilas Pilipinas is currently in Suwon, South Korea, where it is set to face the South Korean national team in a two-game exhibition series before flying to Nagoya for the Asian Games.
“We’re still— we haven’t had a confirmation yet from Justin whether he’s going to be here or not. The door is still open for him. He’s still working on clearances from doctors in the States. As soon as that’s all cleared up, we’ll have a clearer picture as well,” said Cone.
(C) FIBA.basketball
Cone said Gilas Pilipinas traveled with just 11 players, leaving the 12th and final spot open in the hope that Brownlee can eventually join the team.
With roster restrictions leaving them with no other options, however, the veteran coach said they are also prepared to compete in the tournament with 11 players if Brownlee is unable to make it.
“But at this point, no. We don’t have a 12th player in mind to come over,” Cone said.
“There are certain budget restraints in terms of traveling with a lot of different people and terms of hotels and airline tickets and the likes— we’ve kept that 12th spot open for Justin if he can make it,” he added.
Composing the Gilas Asian Games roster are Robert Bolick, RJ Abarrientos, Sedrick Barefield, Adrian Nocum, Don Trollano, Zavier Lucero, Jerrick Ahanmisi, Justin Arana, Justin Baltazar, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, and Brandon Bates.
“These guys are all willing to play extended minutes. I think 11 is a really good number from a coaching standpoint in terms of not feeling like you have to force some guys who should be out there longer to play less because you want other guys to get satisfied,” Cone said.
“I don’t know if, you know what I mean, but it’s easier from a coaching standpoint having often times less players than it is having more.”
