Nothing is certain yet right now, but Justin Brownlee is excited to team up with PBA rival Rondae Hollis-Jefferson for Meralco in the East Asia Super League.
Justin Brownlee is hopeful he can join Meralco as soon as he is done with his duties with Gilas Pilipinas for first window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Brownlee was supposed to team up with rival PBA import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson with Meralco in the EASL but had to sit out its first four games because of pneumonia.
“I hope so,” said Brownlee when asked if he could play in the Bolts’ Dec. 6 game against the Macau Black Bears.
[RELATED STORY: Long-awaited EASL debut nears for Justin Brownlee after meeting with Bolts officials]
Now that he is back in harness, the naturalized Filipino can’t wait to be on the same side with RHJ for once.
“I’m looking forward to it. He’s been doing an unbelievable job with the team,” Brownlee said of the former Brooklyn Net in the NBA.
“He’s been a stud like he’s been in the PBA and wherever he plays at. It’s been a joy to watch him with those guys. I can't wait to join if I do.”
Brownlee will play two games for Gilas, both against Guam, on the road and at home on Nov. 27 and Dec. 1 in the Qualifiers.
[RELATED STORY: Gilas' Brownlee relieved after pneumonia scare: 'Happy to be healthy']
Nothing is set in stone yet, but barring any hiccups, it appears that the dream JB-RHJ tandem will come to fruition sooner rather than later.
“I’m still not sure, but I hope so. I hope I can work out [with Meralco] sometime in the future, maybe in the next few games or so. We’ll see,” Brownlee said.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.