Brownlee set to make national team debut as Gilas Pilipinas faces Lebanon on home soil

Justin Bronwlee is set to make his much-awaited Gilas Pilipinas debut when the Philippines hosts Lebanon on Friday in the sixth and final window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers at the Philippine Arena.

The naturalized player will banner the 12-man national team cast as they look to improve their 5-3 win-loss card against the streaking Lebanese, who have won all of their last five games to lead Group E with a 7-1 slate.

Brownlee will team up with San Miguel big man June Mar Fajardo and his Ginebra teammates Scottie Thompson and Jamie Malonzo as brothers Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena took a brief break from Japan B. League to join the squad.

Dwight Ramos is also set to bolster Gilas while Jordan Heading, Ray Parks Jr., CJ Perez, and Calvin Oftana made the cut while youngster Mason Amos will also make his seniors debut as Gilas tries to finish strong ahead of the World Cup this August.

The Philippines will look to get back at Lebanon, who defeated the Filipinos during the fourth window of the qualifiers in Beirut despite getting solid showing from Filipino-American star Jordan Clarkson.

After taking on Lebanon, Gilas will square off with Jordan on Monday, February 27, at the same venue.

—Bea Micaller/MGP, GMA Integrated News