Brownlee, nationals reassemble Monday

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas – likely to be reinforced by aces from PBA heavyweights TNT, Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel Beer – will soon regroup in preparation for next month’s FIBA World Cup Qualifiers sixth window.

And newly-minted Filipino citizen Justin Brownlee is expected to be on hand for the pool’s initial once-a-week sessions that the coaching staff is eyeing to commence on Monday.

“Plans to visit his family in the United States are on hold for Brownlee, with the PBA season-ending Governors’ Cup kicking off on Jan. 22 and national coach Chot Reyes about to start Gilas Pilipinas’ once-a-week practice on Monday,” the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas said yesterday.

Brownlee took his oath of allegiance at the Senate last Monday, hours after leading the Gin Kings to the Commissioner’s Cup title via a 114-99 clincher over By Area.

The three-time PBA Best Import awardee only needs to secure a certificate of naturalization from the Bureau of Immigration and acquire a Philippine passport from the Department of Foreign Affairs to be able to exercise all the rights and privileges of a Filipino citizen.

Once done, Brownlee can start playing for Gilas as a Filipino. He is slated to make his debut in the final window against Lebanon on Feb. 24 and Jordan on Feb. 27 both at the Philippine Arena.

Key players from Brownlee’s very own Ginebra team, reigning Philippine Cup champ SMB and All-Filipino runner-up TNT are tipped to get another Gilas call-up as they did in the previous window in November.

Based on the Governors’ Cup schedule released by the PBA, the trio will take a break in action during the FIBA window.

The Gin Kings face Blackwater in the curtain raiser while the Beermen and the Tropang Giga collide in the main game of the Feb. 19 double-header – their last assignments before hitting the court again in March.

Ginebra resumes its PBA title defense on March 1 against Meralco. SMB and TNT, however, will not be coming back until they’re finished with their stint in the EASL Champions Week set March 1 to 5 in Japan.