Still no confirmed Gilas Pilipinas tune-up games ahead of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 as of the time being, according to head coach Tim Cone.
The clip wasn’t much — just a short video on Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone’s phone.
But it was all the assurance he needed from Justin Brownlee.
“He (Brownlee) sent me a video where he was manipulating his thumb… and that it has a full range of motion,” Cone said of the resident Philippine and Ginebra import in his participation in “The Champions Class" coaching clinic held on June 9, Monday in Alabang.
For the PBA's winningest coach, the footage marked a promising step in Brownlee’s recovery from a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right thumb — the same injury he endured during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals earlier this year.
Despite sustaining the injury in Game 3, Brownlee powered through with a heavily taped hand and nearly led Barangay Ginebra to the title, pushing eventual champion TNT Tropang 5G to the brink.
The Gin Kings were up 3–2 in the series before the Tropang G5 clawed back to win the final two games, including a thrilling overtime finish in Game 7.
“He’s working out in the States and is back to basketball activities. He should be good to go in late July,” Cone shared.
That timeline is vital, with Gilas Pilipinas set to begin formal preparations for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 that will run from August 5 to 17 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Cone also hopes that Brownlee can arrive in the Philippines earlier to reconnect with the national team’s trainers and gradually ramp up activity.
“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 emphasized.
[ALSO READ: Gilas: ‘No suspension at this point in time’ for Justin Brownlee, says SBP]
“We’re Talkin’ About Practice”
As for tune-up matches, Cone said there’s still no firm update on any home exhibition games leading up to the Asia Cup.
Last year, Gilas played a friendly against Alex Cabagnot’s Taiwan Mustangs during their buildup for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament but this time around, plans have yet to materialize.
[ALSO READ: Dwight Ramos leads Gilas Pilipinas in win vs. Taiwan Mustangs ahead of FIBA OQT]
“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.
Gilas also took on Qatar, Lebanon and Egypt in mini pocket tournament as part of the preparations for the February window of the Asia Cup qualifiers. They went 1-2 in three games during that stretch.
[ALSO READ: Gilas completes comeback vs Qatar in Doha International Cup debut}
He noted: “The only reason we want to play a practice game here in Manila is for the fans before we take off."
”Cone emphasized that preparation time remains the priority.
“We’re really looking to get more practice time than practice games,” he added. “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 will open their Group D campaign in the Asia Cup against Chinese Taipei, followed by matches against New Zealand and Iraq.
[ALSO READ: Gilas Pilipinas battle Chinese Taipei to begin FIBA Asia Cup 2025 campaign]
(With reports from Gillian Trinidad)