(UPDATE) WITH Gilas Pilipinas slated to begin its preparation for the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers 2025 this Thursday at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna, new national mentor Tim Cone is upbeat considering that a 'healthy' naturalized player Justin Brownlee will be spearheading the squad in the international tournament late this February.

Cone said Brownlee's failure to suit up and reinforce Barangay Ginebra in the team's recent PBA Season 48 Commissioner's Cup campaign may have turned out to be a 'blessing in disguise' after all.