Bad break: Injured Brownlee out against Australia

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas’ task against powerhouse Australia in tonight’s FIBA World Cup Qualifiers road assignment in Perth just got a lot harder with Justin Brownlee sitting it out due to injury.

Brownlee, according to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, is diagnosed with hamstring strain and peroneal tendinopathy on his right leg and left knee swelling and cartilage defects, forcing him out of action in the 6:30 p.m. gig at the RAC Arena.

This leaves the homegrown mainstays with a heavy load as the squad tries to stop the rampage of the Boomers, who come into the culminating game in Group A with the momentum of their record-breaking 124-52 rout of also-ran Guam.

Coach Tim Cone’s charges at least had a taste of fending for themselves without Brownlee when they faced Kiwi ballclubs Manawatsu Jets and Franklin Bulls in pre-window 3 tuneup matches and won,  92-61, and 94-66, respectively.

The young guns like Juan Gomez de Liano. Kevin Quiambao, Carl Tamayo and reliable Dwight Ramos have also shown their readiness to step up when Brownlee was stymied by both New Zealand’s rugged defense and his injuries in their 102-106 doulble-overtime heartbreaker.