Brownlee: Playing for Gilas is special

MANILA, Philippines — Closer and closer to his dream Gilas Pilipinas stint, Justin Brownlee is stoked to put on the country’s tri-colors and bring “Justin Noypi” on the international stage.

“Playing for Gilas is going to be very special. I will try not to cry but I’ve been waiting for this moment the whole time,” said the three-time Best Import and six-time PBA champion.

Brownlee, who gained Philippine citizenship with the signing of Republic Act 11937 last Thursday, is being eyed as Gilas’ naturalized player for next month’s FIBA World Cup Qualifiers’ Window 6 home games against Lebanon and Jordan in Bulacan.

“I’ll go out there and play hard and give that NSD attitude like I do playing for Ginebra and hopefully I can just make the Philippines even prouder,” he said.

Brownlee’s Gilas work has actually already started even while his naturalization application was still pending in Congress. The well-loved Barangay Ginebra import joined the Gilas training camp last November, helping prepare his future teammates for their fifth-window assignments against Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

Ginebra coach Tim Cone, who also serves as deputy to Gilas program director and coach Chot Reyes, believes Brownlee is a perfect fit for the Nationals.

“He’s not only a great player, he’s a great representative,” said Cone of his resident reinforcement. – Olmin Leyba

“He’s going to represent the Philippines really well, with the way he carries himself, the way he plays the game, the way he acts with his teammates and the way he competes with the other team. He’s going to be an example and that’s why I’m so proud to have him on the national team.”

Brownlee, who took his Oath of Allegiance the other day, joins Fil-Am NBA star Jordan Clarkson and former Ateneo stalwart Ange Kouame in Gilas’ pool of naturalized players.