Barangay Ginebra is cool with resident import Justin Brownlee taking his sweet time to recover from multiple injuries.

Although no timetable is set for the four-time Best Import’s return, Kings head coach Tim Cone is crossing his fingers for Brownlee to suit up in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup.

“We’re not putting anything in stone. But you know, I think we owe it to Justin from a loyalty standpoint that when he’s ready, he’s going to play,” Cone said on Friday after Ginebra notched its first win with a 115-85 rout of Blackwater at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Brownlee is getting treatment in the United States after sustaining a hamstring strain and peroneal tendinopathy in his right leg as well as swelling on his left knee.

The seven-time PBA champion went through a tough stretch, leading Ginebra in a grueling seven-game finals series against TNT the Kings’ title conquest in the Commissioner’s Cup before suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas.

Already banged up, Brownlee only saw one game for the national squad during Gilas’ campaign in the third window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifier.

The 38-year-old Brownlee has a lot of time to recover and get back in top shape as the season-ending conference is stretched until December, with the league giving way for Gilas’ participation in a pair of major international tournaments.

There will be a halt in hostilities for the national squad’s participation in the second round of the World Cup Asian Qualifiers next month and another one in September during the 20th Asian Games in Japan where the Philippines will try to defend its gold medal.

“Well, I mean the longer Justin has to recuperate and get back, you know, the better it is,” Cone said.

So far, temporary reinforcement Riley Grigsby is doing well holding the fort and filling the huge shoes left by Brownlee.

Grigsby came up with 18 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block in the Kings’ rebound after starting their campaign with a sorry loss to Phoenix.

He is averaging 30 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks.

“We’re very clear with Riley. He’s come in with eyes wide open. He knows that he’s following up the GOAT (greatest of all-time),” Cone said.

“It’s a tough thing to do. It’s like trying to replace Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant or LeBron James and that’s a difficult thing to do. He seems to have the perfect character to do that. But he’s come in with eyes wide open.” Mark Escarlote