Justin Brownlee leads new Gilas Pilipinas pool for Window 6 of FIBA qualifiers

Naturalized player Justin Brownlee, as expected, has been named to the 24-man Gilas Pilipinas pool set to represent the Philippines in Window 6 of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers slated for next month in Bocaue, Bulacan.

In a list released by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Friday, the American-born forward will lead the pool alongside Ginebra teammates Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo, and Japeth Aguilar.

Also called up were other PBA stars like CJ Perez, Chris Newsome, RR Pogoy, Calvin Oftana, Arvin Tolentino, June Mar Fajardo, and Raymond Almazan while Filipinos playing as imports overseas - Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, Jordan Heading, Ray Parks, Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo, and Kai Sotto - were likewise included.

New names such as Ateneo high school product Mason Amos, Adamson guard Jerom Lastimosa, and La Salle gunner Schonny Winston are set to bolster the pool while rounding out the 24-strong pool are Ange Kouame, Francis Lopez, and Kevin Quiambao.

Gilas will play two games in the last and final window, going up against Lebanon on February 24 and Jordan on the 27th with both games set to be played at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

Gilas is currently third in Group E with a 5-3 record as Lebanon and New Zealand currently sit at the first and second spot, respectively.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News