(NI JJ TORRES)

BOTONG-BOTO si Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel head coach Tim Cone na gawing naturalized player si Justin Brownlee para makalaro sa Gilas Pilipinas.

Muling nagpakitang-gilas si Brownlee nang akayin ang Gin Kings sa 110-95 come-from-behind win kontra Meralco noong Linggo.

At dahil dito, kumbinsido si Cone na malaki ang maitutulong ng kanilang reinforcement sakaling makasama ito sa national basketball team.

Si former NBA player Andray Blatche ang kasalukuyang naturalized player ng Pilipinas at kasamang saabak sa FIBA World Cup sa Agosto.

“Isn’t Justin amazing? I tell you. I know that Andray is a great player and I know all those guys, I really don’t have any say in that. But I tell you, my vote goes for Justin for the national team,” pahayag ni Cone matapos ang panalo ng Gin Kings.

“He can change a team, not just by his play, but by his personality. He’s an amazing player and human being. He really is. But that’s not my call.”

Si Brownlee ay inakay ang Gin Kingssa tatlong PBA championships at nakakuha pa ng Best Import of the Conference award. At mula nang gawin niya ito ay nagsimula na ang panawagang gawin siyang naturalized player.

Katunayan, mayroon nang House Bill na isinulong para maging naturalized Filipino player ang Ginebra import.

At nananatili namang umaasa si Brownlee sa posibilidad na iyon.

“Hopefully the process is still going forward and it’s not standing still or going backwards. I’m still excited for it. I’m just being patient and whatever happens, happens,” lahad ni Brownlee.