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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Brownlee out of Gilas SEAG team as organizers bar naturalized players in 5-on-5

Brownlee out of Gilas SEAG team as organizers bar naturalized players in 5-on-5

Published Nov 23, 2025 03:10 pm

At A Glance

  • Justin Brownlee won't be suiting up for the Gilas Pilipinas team bound for the Southeast Asian Games after the local organizing committee barred the naturalized players from participating in the 5-on-5 basketball event
Gilas Pilipinas plays their match against host nation Cambodia during the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at the Morodok Elephant Hall 2 on May 11, 2023. Cambodia pulled off a 79-68 victory against the Philippines. Photo courtesy Ariya Kurniawan
Gilas Pilipinas plays their match against host nation Cambodia during the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at the Morodok Elephant Hall 2 on May 11, 2023. Cambodia pulled off a 79-68 victory against the Philippines. Photo courtesy Ariya Kurniawan
Justin Brownlee won’t be suiting up for the Gilas Pilipinas team bound for the Southeast Asian Games after the local organizing committee barred the naturalized players from participating in the 5-on-5 basketball event
The 37-year-old forward was initially on the lineup formed by head coach Norman Black but was also ultimately scratched out due the ruling.
Likewise, big man Ange Kouame, who was also part of the 12-man roster, cannot play for the 5-on-5 team although he was lined up for the 3x3 team as that event allowed naturalized players.
Kouame will be teaming up 3x3 veteran Joseph Sedurifa, Magnolia forward Joseph Eriobu and collegiate star Janrey Pasaol.
The ruling is seen as a huge blow to Gilas’ title-retention bid, especially since Brownlee played a huge part in the Nationals’ golden run in the last SEA Games in Cambodia.
But Black isn’t lacking talent with the remaining players in the pool. Former Gilas mainstays Ray Parks Jr., Matthew Wright, and Thirdy Ravena are leading the charge alongside Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Jason Brickman, Dave Ildefonso and young guns Mike Phillips, Kymani Ladi and Veejay Pre.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has yet to release an official statement regarding the matter nor the names of the possible replacements but there have been reports that Jamie Malonzo and Geo Chiu could be tapped to fill in the vacant spots.
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