Injured Brownlee to miss Gilas game vs Australia

MANILA, Philippines -- A tough assignment just got a whole lot tougher. 

Gilas Pilipinas will not be with Justin Brownlee in a marquee matchup with Australia on Monday, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced Sunday. 

Brownlee, who played almost 36 minutes in the narrow 106-102 loss by the Philippines against New Zealand on Friday, will not suit up against the Boomers due to several injuries. 

“Justin Brownlee will miss the game against Australia due to hamstring strain and peroneal tendinopathy on his right leg and left knee swelling and cartilage defects,” the SBP said. 

Brownlee went off the bench in the game against New Zealand and played for 35 minutes and 51 seconds. 

However, the Tall Blacks’ tough defense was too hard for him to shrug off. He managed just five points on 2-of-3 shooting from the field, with his first make coming in the first overtime period. 

Despite his forgettable performance, Brownlee had eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block. But he fouled out in the second overtime period. 

Against New Zealand, Gilas’ young guns stepped up, led by Juan Gomez-de Liano and Kevin Quiambao with 23 points each. Dwight Ramos added 18 markers while Carl Tamayo had 17. 

Nevertheless, it will be a tough clash with the World No. 6 Australia, which defeated Guam by 72 points, 124-52, on Friday. 

The Gilas-Australia clash will be at the RAC Arena in Perth on Monday, 6:30 p.m.