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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Justin Brownlee in race to get fit in time for WC qualifiers

Justin Brownlee in race to get fit in time for WC qualifiers

Published Nov 22, 2025 06:02 pm

At A Glance

  • Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Justin Brownlee is in a race to get fit in time for the pair of games in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers next week.
Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Justin Brownlee is in a race to get fit in time for the pair of games in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers next week.
The veteran forward admitted he’s yet to be in top shape since recovering from pneumonia which prevented him from suiting up for Meralco in the East Asia Super League.
“I really don't know to be honest (fitness). I think I'm getting close though. But it's just all about, you know, my lungs recovering,” said Brownlee.
“They said it could take up to a month or a few weeks up to a month. It's been around that time now. So, hopefully, you know, about game time, I'll be 100% ready to go,” he added.
Brownlee recounted how hard it was to deal with the illness especially when he initially thought it was just some case of asthma flare ups.
“Sometimes I have flare ups, just like anybody else who has asthma. That's what I thought. I thought I had asthma flare ups, very similar symptoms," he said.
"I wasn't taking it seriously and it just kept getting worse, so I knew it wasn't asthma because my asthma medicine didn't work," he added.
The 37-year-old forward admitted he was scared of that experience and was just happy to be back on the floor, breathing and playing again.
“I had an infection in the lungs, and I have it for a few weeks, unfortunately. But I'm just happy to be healthy," said Brownlee.
"I feel scared, something like that. But I'm just happy to be able to play basketball again and breathe normally,” he added.
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