Tim Cone optimistic about Justin Brownlee’s recovery, eyes early July return for Gilas preparations

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone provided a positive update on the recovery of naturalized player Justin Brownlee, expressing optimism that the beloved import will be back on court and ready for national team duties by late July. Brownlee is currently recuperating in the United States from a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right thumb, an injury he bravely played through during the recent PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

Cone, speaking at “The Champions Class” coaching clinic on Monday, June 9, revealed that Brownlee had sent him a video demonstrating a full range of motion in his injured thumb. “He’s working out in the States and is back to basketball activities. He should be good to go in late July,” Cone shared.

This timeline is crucial for Gilas Pilipinas, as the national team is set to begin its formal preparations for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025, which will run from August 5 to 17 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Cone emphasized the importance of Brownlee’s early return to the Philippines to ensure a seamless integration into the team’s training regimen.

“We don’t have an exact date yet. But we’d like to have him here by the first week of July just to get him under control with our trainers and working out, so when the team comes together, he’ll be ready to go,” the 67-year-old mentor stated.

Brownlee’s injury occurred during Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, but he valiantly pushed through, playing with a heavily taped hand and nearly leading Barangay Ginebra to the title against eventual champions TNT Tropang 5G. He underwent surgery shortly after the Finals to address the thumb issue.

The prospect of Brownlee’s full recovery and timely return is a significant boost for Gilas Pilipinas. His consistent scoring, clutch play, and veteran leadership have been instrumental in the team’s recent successes, including their historic gold medal finish at the 19th Asian Games.

UPDATE ON JUSTIN BROWNLEE FROM COACH TIM CONE

“He (Brownlee) sent me a video where he was manipulating his thumb… and that it has a full range of motion. He’s working out in the States and is back to basketball activities. He should be good to go in late July.”

– Coach Tim… pic.twitter.com/SeiZGF544r

— Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (@brgyginebraphl) June 10, 2025

While Brownlee’s recovery appears to be on track, coach Cone also addressed the current status of Gilas’ tune-up games. As of now, there are no confirmed home exhibition matches leading up to the Asia Cup. Cone mentioned that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Erika Dy has been working on arranging games, but plans have yet to materialize.

“That’s something [SBP executive director] Erika Dy has been working on. We talked to a couple of teams, but a few of them fell through,” Cone admitted. He stressed that the primary focus remains on maximizing practice time for the team. “We’re really looking to get more practice time than practice games,” he noted. “If it happens, it happens — and I want it to happen for the fans. But if it doesn’t, it won’t kill us.”

Gilas Pilipinas is grouped with New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, and Iraq in Group D of the FIBA Asia Cup. With Brownlee seemingly on track for a strong return, the team looks forward to a comprehensive preparation period to contend in the continental tournament.

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