Matters of the heart

It’s not just a simple slew of injuries that kept naturalized player Justin Brownlee from playing for Gilas Pilipinas and Barangay Ginebra.

It turned out that Brownlee has been dealing with heart issues.

Gilas head coach Tim Cone revealed the real situation of the 38-year-old workhorse during his attendance at the Senate Committee on Sports hearing presided over by Senators Christopher “Bong” Go and Pia Cayetano on Thursday.

“It’s not injury concerns. He’s had health concerns,” Cone said.

Brownlee last played back on 3 July in Gilas Pilipinas’ 102-106 double-overtime loss to New Zealand in Auckland in the third window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

He sat out Gilas’ blowout defeat to Australia in Perth on 6 July. Brownlee went back to the United States for recovery and rehabilitation and has not returned since.

The four-time Best Import has not suited up for the Kings in the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governor’s Cup.

“That’s why he is not playing for Ginebra at this time, and why he hasn’t played this conference because he had health concerns regarding blood pressure and heart issues. So, he is not able to play at this point,” Cone added.

Brownlee also missed the second round of the FIBA qualifiers and his absence at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games was a big blow to the Philippines’ gold medal defense.

Without the hero of the pandemic-delayed Hangzhou edition that ended the country’s 61-year championship drought three years ago, the all-local Gilas suffered a humiliating group stage exit in the Asiad.

The Senate was looking at the Team Philippines’ performance and concerns of athletes and sports officials during the hearing following a four-gold medal haul in the Asiad.

Cone also explained during the hearing why the other naturalized players were unavailable to represent the country in the Asian Games.

“Ange Kouame, who was one of our heroes in 2023 along with June Mar Fajardo (who retired after the FIBA window second round). Ange signed a contract in France. So, he’s no longer available,” he said.

“And, of course, there’s Bennie Boatwright, who we’re waiting for the naturalization papers of Bennie Boatwright but they weren’t completed in time for the submission of lineup. So, we couldn’t use Bennie,” he added.

“So, it turned out, all three naturalized players were not allowed to play.”

Cone, however, is hoping to see Boatwright suit up for Gilas in the next competitions, with the FIBA qualifier in November against Syria and Iran to be the soonest.

“We don’t have his passport yet but we are working on his passport. But yes, the naturalization process is finished. He is currently playing in China. So just need him to finish off the requirements,” Cone said.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erica Dy explained that the federation is already working on assuring Boatwright will be ready come the FIBA window.

“We’ve already coordinated with our embassy and consulate in China where he will take his oath and his passport will be issued,” Dy said.

The 30-year-old Boatwright is currently signed with the Fujian Sturgeons in the Chinese Basketball Association.

Dy is also putting her neck on the line and is willing to take full accountability if Boatwright misses the chance to suit up for Gilas this year.

“If we can’t clear that, it’s on me,” Dy said.

“We have to do our part. The Congress, Senate, and even the President (Bongbong Marcos) have already done their part. So, now we’re working on his papers in the BI (Bureau of Immigration) and the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) for the passport.”

Gilas also missed the services of foreign-based players Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo, Kevin Quiambao, AJ Edu, 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto, Mike Phillips and Quentin Millora-Brown as their contracts do not require them to suit up for the Asian Games, which is not a FIBA-sanctioned event.

Something that Cayetano hopes the issue will be addressed, adding a possible clause in their contracts to be released by their foreign clubs even in tournaments not sanctioned by FIBA.