Brownlee to join Gilas in Estonia

Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes said naturalized player Justin Brownlee will be joining the national squad in Estonia.

The outspoken national mentor explained that the 6-foot-4 Brownlee, who will be coming from the United States, “had to undergo medical procedure,” which prevented the resident Barangay Ginebra reinforcement from joining Gilas' training.

“Justin had to undergo non-basketball medical procedure. He'll just meet us in Estonia,” Reyes said in his Instagram account on Tuesday.

Justin Brownlee PHOTO BY RIO DELUVIO

Brownlee, just a month back, led Gilas Pilipinas' successful bid that saw the national squad regain the Southeast Asian Games men's gold medal after beating host Cambodia in the finals.

Meanwhile, knowing the tough grind in the coming days when Gilas Pilipinas begins its overseas trip to Europe, national Reyes said the team's ongoing stay at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna involved a lot of court work and conditioning.

Reyes said the grind is necessary as Gilas is slated to face a number of national teams as part of the Philippine squad's.

European trip that begins in Estonia.

The outspoken coach already confirmed that Gilas will be playing a series of tuneup matches against Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Lithuania.

And considering the Gilas pool is a mixture of old and new faces, Reyes said they also took time to build the team's chemistry in Calamba.

“Yes (Gilas did team building-related activities),” Reyes said in a short response to the Manila Times' query.

Reyes on Sunday, showed a video clip through his Instagram account of the team's activities at Inspire Sports Academy, which included reigning PBA Most Valuable Player Scottie Thompson working out at the gym.

However, Reyes also mentioned that Gilas has been doing morning and afternoon training as well.

Gilas is scheduled to take a break on Wednesday and will leave for Europe the following day.

The national pool though won't have Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson and young big man Kai Sotto in its trip to Europe due to schedule conflict.