MANILA — Justin Brownlee has expressed his readiness in case the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) calls him up for national team duties once his Filipino naturalization has been formalized.
“I would love to,” the Ginebra import answered when asked if he would accept a possible Gilas call-up during Ginebra’s victory party on Monday night. “I could play with Gilas. That would be incredible — to represent the Philippines.”
San Miguel Corp. sports director Alfrancis Chua on Sunday revealed that Brownlee wants to be naturalized but for non-national team reasons, something that Brownlee himself confirmed.
“Right now, I just try to get naturalized just because I love it here in the Philippines,” the six-foot-five guard-forward continued. “The way the people embrace me every single day, I fall more and more in love with the Philippines. In just my whole time being here, my love just keeps growing.”
Brownlee, the newly-crowned PBA Commissioner’s Cup Best Import, will return to action for the Barangay in the upcoming PBA Governors’ Cup, which will kick off on Friday, although they will not see action until Aug. 31. (Ivan Stewart Saldajeno/PNA)
