Romwel Anzures

Gilas Pilipinas star Justin Brownlee in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Photo from FIBA.

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787986190225IMG_1781.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Gilas Pilipinas star Justin Brownlee in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Photo from FIBA.MANILA — Gilas Pilipinas got the job done with a crucial, spirited <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/28/gilas-pilipinas-escapes-jordan-in-ot-to-open-2nd-round-of-world-cup-qualifiers-2239">82-81 overtime win over Jordan</a> in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Friday, but head coach Tim Cone admitted that the task was more challenging without Justin Brownlee.</div>This was the second straight match that the longtime Barangay Ginebra import missed due to hamstring and leg injuries, as Brownlee also sat out their match against Australia in the previous window.Fortunately for the Philippines, Kai Sotto, Kevin Quiambao, and CJ Perez, among others, stepped up in his place.The trio displayed poise throughout the fourth quarter and OT, but Cone emphasized that Brownlee was still missed, especially when they found themselves down by 18 points earlier in the match.“It was tough not having Justin,” he said. “Justin is my comfort blanket. I put him on, and I’ve been doing it for 10, 11 years, and not to have him, I felt very exposed.”Except for a few conferences he missed due to injury and his preventive suspension in late 2023 due to a prohibited substance violation, Brownlee has been Cone’s bread and butter with both Ginebra and Gilas since their 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals run.And with Brownlee still in the US recovering, Gilas is missing his production of 14.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.Cone, however, was in awe of how the All-Filipino Gilas responded now that they are in the crucial stages of the World Cup Qualifiers, and hailed his crew for collectively filling the hole Brownlee left.“These guys stepped up,” he said. “Not having Justin here and still winning made this even sweeter. So we’ll take this one.”Cone’s challenge now is to avoid complacency as Gilas seeks to end its homestand on a high note against Iran on Sunday.“But like I keep telling the guys, the job is only half done. We came in here with two do-or-die games. We got one done, now we gotta go out and get another one.”

Gilas Pilipinas got the job done with a crucial, spirited 82-81 overtime win over Jordan in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Friday, but head coach Tim Cone admitted that the task was more challenging without Justin Brownlee.

Gilas Pilipinas got the job done with a crucial, spirited 82-81 overtime win over Jordan in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Friday, but head coach Tim Cone admitted that the task was more challenging without Justin Brownlee.

FIBA: Cone admits feeling ‘exposed’ without his ‘comfort blanket’ Brownlee

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FIBA: Cone admits feeling ‘exposed’ without his ‘comfort blanket’ Brownlee

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 29, 2026 03:41 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

FIBA

2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers

Gilas Pilipinas

Tim Cone

FIBA Basketball

Justin Brownlee

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