Photo by Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas’ practice at Meralco Gym on Monday night featured two new faces.
Barangay Ginebra’s beloved reinforcement Justin Brownlee, and Alaska’s former mentor Alex Compton joined the Nationals’ preparations for the Southeast Asian Games slated here Nov. 30 through Dec. 11.
“I asked (Justin) because I knew that Jayson wouldn’t be here and I wanted to have 15 guys,” said coach Tim Cone who was priming up a talent pool which also missed two more guys.
Aside from Castro, who hurt his right leg in TNT’s game Friday night, June Mar Fajardo and Matthew Wright also missed the session.
Fajardo was in attendance but the reigning five-time MVP did not participate to rest his knees following San Miguel’s game Sunday night, while Wright attended to his new-born child.
Cone said he wanted to have a set of “fresh eyes” on board, though, he cleared Compton is not with the national team “at any capacity.”
“He’s just helping us like Olsen (Racela),” he added. “We like his pressure, some of the things he does—things we think about doing on this team at some point during certain games.
Brownlee, who helped steer the Gin Kings to three crowns, took part in a light scrimmage, and helped an undermanned talent pool run half-court sets—a gesture that Cone said will last for a few Monday nights as Gilas has arranged friendlies with Alab Pilipinas
Cone said Gilas is slated to play three tune-up games for the next three Mondays. The Nationals play Alab on Nov. 4 and 11 before taking on an import-laden Taiwanese squad on Nov. 18.
All scrimmages won’t be open to the public and the media.