Gilas needs collective effort to replace Brownlee, Scottie says

SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba Asian Qualifiers Window 4

Gilas Pilipinas with Justin Brownlee during a game in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers. –FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Scottie Thompson said it will take not just one guy to fill up the absence of Justin Brownlee as Gilas Pilipinas goes into the fourth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers without their reliable naturalized player.

“It’s hard to fill up Justin’s spot with just one guy. We need each and everyone to step up,” Thompson said ahead of Gilas’ home matches with Jordan and Iran this weekend at Mall of Asia Arena.

Brownlee won’t be around for the crucial games, owing to the injuries that kept him out of action since his last appearance for Gilas against New Zealand last month.

That left coach Tim Cone with the decision to go with an all-Filipino lineup, with Bennie Boatwright still awaiting the completion of his naturalization process and Ange Kouame under contract in France.

Gilas Pilipinas’ Scottie Thompson during a game in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers. –FIBA PHOTO

Thompson, who will make his return to national team duties after skipping the third window, said Gilas has to accept what it faces now.

“We all know that Justin is a huge factor for us,” Brownlee’s fellow Ginebra star said. “But we need to face the reality right now that he’s not with us.

“So we need to step up and put up a collective effort,” added Thompson.

Despite Brownlee not being around for the window, Gilas got a big boost when Kai Sotto answered the call to make his first Gilas appearance since the Asia Cup Qualifiers in November 2024.

Also back is CJ Perez, who, like Thompson, did not play in the third window.