Justin Brownlee says Gilas Pilipinas are making good strides and can expect a lot of progress in the future. He also comments on his and Jordan Clarkson’s game and the experience he’s gained over time in the Olympic Qualifiers in Latvia.
Gilas Pilipinas’ Cinderella story ended in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) semifinals with a 71-60 elimination loss to Brazil at Arena Riga.
The game began on a positive note for the Philippines, who built an early double-digit lead (22-12) and maintained a substantial advantage until halftime.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the third quarter. Brazil intensified their defense, began making shots, and orchestrated a 14-0 run to start the quarter. They outscored the Philippines by 18 points in the third tally (24-6), and Gilas Pilipinas could not recover in the final 10 minutes.
Even Latvia’s FIBA OQT unofficial MVP, Justin Brownlee, couldn’t save his team from the second-half collapse.
We just have to give a lot of credit to the opponent,” Brownlee tried to explain what happened early in the second half, while talking to BasketNews. “They just came out tough, came out ready. They made some adjustments; they played tough throughout the whole game, but we just gotta credit their great defense.
“They held down on defense, really. And then they got into their rhythm offensively, got their momentum, and just ran with it,” he added.
Previously, Gilas Pilipinas faced two European teams in the group stage, defeating Latvia (89-80) and narrowly losing to Georgia (94-96). The challenge of facing a South American powerhouse like Brazil posed new obstacles.
“Yes, it’s a little different. We knew it was going to be hard to adjust to the style of play here,” Brownlee noted. “There are some top teams in the world. Of course, the European teams shoot the three ball more often. Brazil did a lot of mid-range [shots], inside and outside. It was tough. But still, a lot of credit to our guys and the team; we played hard, we fought hard, and just, unfortunately, we came a little bit short.”
Brownlee had a stellar tournament, averaging 23.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists for a 27.0 EFF.
He scored, facilitated the offense, and involved his teammates, a feature the team lacked in the last FIBA World Cup 2023, where Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson starred, but the team didn’t fully mesh.
“I just try to play my game,” Brownlee underlined. “Clarkson is an incredible player; he’s killing in the NBA, and I’ve been a fan of him. I’ve seen him in the World Cup games. He’s an incredible player, but me myself, I just try to play my game and try to do the best I can.”
For the 36-year-old veteran, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to prove himself on the highest international stage. Coach Tim Cone previously said the NBA missed out on Brownlee, who truly enjoyed playing in Latvia and performing at his best.
“Just all-around [experience]. Coming in and playing in hostile environments — playing against Latvia — was a great experience with their crowd and how they are supporting their team,” Brownlee told BasketNews. “But you know, playing different styles as well. From European to South American, different styles.
“Just know how to play on the world stage,” he went on to say. “I haven’t had too many opportunities like this. This is actually my first opportunity as far as playing in the Olympic Qualifiers. As a team, we’re going just take these experiences and just try to move forward and get better.”
The FIBA World Cup 2023 in the Philippines was a significant step forward for this basketball-crazy nation. Now, reaching the semifinals in the FIBA OQT, when nobody expected it, adds another layer to their recent success.
According to Brownlee, the future looks bright for Gilas Pilipinas.
“The Philippines are definitely making some good strides,” he noted. “Even before this tournament, coach Chot [Reyes] made some good strides to better the program, and now Tim [Cone] has been making great strides, as well. Filipinos take pride in themselves when it comes to basketball, so I think there will be a lot of progress in the future.”
