Chot hopes Brownlee, ‘home’ edge will negate Kai opt-out, Japeth injury

Gilas Pilipinas lost a lot of rim protection for the upcoming game against red-hot Lebanon and revenge Jordan in the sixth window and the final of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifier next week, due to the absence of young center Kai Sotto and grizzled veteran Japeth Aguilar.

The best national coach Chot Reyes can hope for it The addition of Justin Brownlee plus the advantages of playing at home will even come out.

“The silver lining is we will finally see Justin Brownlee play with us and see how it goes,” Reyes told the Inquirer last Friday night, shortly after he confirmed the presence of the two big men.

“That and the fact that we’re playing at home in front of a big crowd. We still have hope,” he said. “We rely on the advantage of the front court and it gives us an edge.”

Sotto has categorically opted out of the suit up in the last Fiba window, while Aguilar needs about three more weeks to recover from a right knee sprain, enough to reduce Reyes’ options for big men to only San Miguel Beer Juni Mar Fajardo, Meralco Raymond. Almazan, 18-year-old Ateneo-commit Mason Amos, and new pool addition Kelly Williams, a 41-year-old veteran who has had several stints with the national squad.

Even the Plan Bs of the national program are unavailable: Poy Erram is still undergoing knee rehabilitation and Ange Kouame is ineligible as the naturalized player slot is set to be filled by Brownlee, the beloved Ginebra import. Also unavailable for this window is 6-foot-8 Carl Tamayo, who is still with a pro club in Japan. “He’s supposed to be here, but he’s not. I don’t know what the plans are and if he’ll be available,” Reyes said of the former UP star.

B.League team Tamayo Ryukyu Golden Kings announced that they will hold their opening press conference on Wednesday.

Mother in the decision

Meanwhile, Sotto’s camp has not known about his decision to skip this tour of duty. East West Private, one of the companies handling the young cager, has not responded to the Inquirer’s request for comment.

Almazan, who was retained in the fifth window, is also far from a lock for a roster spot. Reyes noted that the Bolts have a Philippine Basketball Association game on February 23, the night of the Nationals’ game against the dangerous Cedars; and then February 26, when Gilas clash with the high Falcons.

If it’s any consolation, people of Japanese origin have started arriving in the country. The first time Kiefer Ravena had sweated before training went to the Meralco Gym on Monday night.

Adhi Ravena, Thirdy, Ray Parks Jr., Dwight Ramos, and Jordan Heading are expected to arrive this week, just in time for Gilas to add to its training schedule.

Reyes said he will hold sessions on Thursday and Saturday to allow players from Japan to catch up.

“Hopefully, the 20th,” he said of the start of daily practice. “This gives a total of three days before [we plunge] to the first game,” he said.

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