Brownlee nears full recovery from pneumonia in time for Gilas duties

Justin Brownlee (32)

(FIBA)

MANILA, Philippines — After battling pneumonia, naturalized player Justin Brownlee said he is “getting close” to being 100%, about a week before Gilas Pilipinas battles Guam in the first window of the FIBA World Cup Asia Qualifiers.

Brownlee arrived in the Philippines earlier this week in time for the first window of the qualifiers.

He reportedly went down with pneumonia, which also led him to miss several East Asia Super League (EASL) games with the Meralco Bolts.

In an interview with reporters at the sidelines of a Gilas practice at the Upper Deck in Pasig City, Brownlee said that for now, he does not really know if he’s near 100%.

But he said he feels he is getting there.

“It's just all about my lungs recovering. They said it could take up to a month or a few weeks up to a month. It's been around that time now,” Brownlee said.

“So hopefully about game time, I'll be 100% ready to go.”

Gilas will take on Guam next Friday in an away game, before they face the same squad in Quezon City on December 1.

“It's good. Like I said, the guys have been very helpful. That's always been the key. The chemistry is always there. Guys come in working hard and focused,” Brownlee continued.

“It motivates each other. You know, one guy coming in, you see it. And if everybody's doing it, everybody's just constantly getting motivated. So, that's just a great atmosphere to be in. And it always feels good to be here.”

Now, the import said he is trying “as much as he can” to push himself in training.

“I try as much as I can and as much as my body would allow me to. But I’ve been trying.”

Brownlee is part of the 18-man Gilas pool for the qualifiers, which also includes Japeth Aguilar, RJ Abarrientos, AJ Edu, June Mar Fajardo, Juan Gomez-de Liano, Ange Kouame, Jamie Malonzo, Quentin Millora-Brown, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, CJ Perez, Kevin Quiambao, Dwight Ramos, Troy Rosario, Kai Sotto, Carl Tamayo and Scottie Thompson.

Aside from the first window of the qualifiers and the EASL, Brownlee is also included in the Gilas roster for the Southeast Asian Games.