BOCAUE, Bulacan – Justin Brownlee's debut as a player of the Philippine team was a big hit and on Friday, the beloved Barangay Ginebra reinforcement powered Gilas Pilipinas to a 107-96 win over Lebanon in sixth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers at the Philippine Arena.
Brownlee provided additional firepower as expected, but also played multiple roles – facilitating and serving as the glue guy and even playing at center for several stretches in the match.
Brownlee simply got the job done for a Philippine team decimated by injuries and cut down to size following the absence of 7-foot-2 Kai Sotto and 6-foot-9 center Japeth Aguilar.
Brownlee fitted like a glove and it was clearly felt as early as the first half when he already tallied 15 points while Ray Parks and another new player, Jordan Heading, also made key contributions.
Also making a huge impact was Jamie Malonzo, who provided some highlight reels and generated energy on both ends of the floor for the Philippines.
Mason Amos, the youngest player in the Philippine quintet at 18, hit his first basket as player of the men's team – a three-point shot – that gave the squad a sizeable 69-51 lead with 4:20 left in the third period.
While the victory was anti-climatic and a stark contrast from their previous meeting where Lebanon defeated the Philippines, 85-81, during the fourth window held in Beirut, it was a fitting payback for the Filipinos and a good way to reward the estimated 30,000 fans who packed the massive.
The Philippines displayed more balanced firepower despite playing with a small lineup with Brownlee leading six players ending in double figures.
The three-time Best Import finished with 17 points followed by Malonzo, who had 15 and Amos, tallying 13. Dwight Ramos and Jordan Heading also produced 10 apiece.
Lebanon showed up without its best player, Wael Arakji and minus its import, Jonathan Aldredge, but was able to get good games from Hayk Gyokchyan and dead shot guard Amir Saoud.
The scores:
Philippines (107) – Brownlee 17, Malonzo 15, Amos 13, Parks 10, Heading 10, Parks 10, Fajardo 9, Ravena, K. 8, Perez 8, Thompson 5, Ravena 2, Oftana 0.
Lebanon (96) – Saoud 27, Gyokchan 21, El-Darwich 19, Zeinoun 14, Mansour 6, Khoueiry 6, Hadidian 3, Khalil 0, Rabay 0, Salibi 0, Jarrouj 0, Mezher 0.
Quarterscores: 25-19; 53-41; 82-64; 107-96