Brownlee acknowledges tough task facing Gilas vs Kiwis and Aussies
MANILA, Philippines — Justin Brownlee acknowledged that Gilas Pilipinas faces a difficult challenge in the third window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers as the national team prepares for crucial road games against New Zealand and Australia.
The Philippines will take on the Tall Blacks on July 3 in Auckland before facing the Boomers on July 6 in Perth to conclude the first round of the qualifiers.
Speaking during Gilas Pilipinas’ public send-off and open practice at the Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan, Brownlee emphasized the importance of matching the physical style of both Oceania teams.
“We’ve got to match their physicality and understand how to play through that,” Brownlee said.
Gilas enters the third window with a 1-2 record in Group A after suffering losses to both New Zealand and Australia during the previous window in late February. The national team narrowly fell to New Zealand, 69-66, before absorbing a 93-66 defeat against Australia.
Despite the setbacks, Gilas has already secured a spot in the second round of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
However, the Philippines will be shorthanded for the upcoming matches. Quentin Millora-Brown, Scottie Thompson, and Calvin Oftana have all been ruled out due to injury-related concerns, while center Kai Sotto will also miss the games as he pursues his NBA aspirations through the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
With several key players unavailable, Brownlee is expected to play a vital leadership role as Gilas looks to end the first round on a positive note against two of the region’s strongest basketball nations.
Courtesy: INQUIRER.net
