Justin Brownlee, Kai Sotto and Scottie Thompson throughout Gilas Pilipinas’ win vs New Zealand within the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet
MANILA, Philippines—Justin Brownlee expectedly performed massive for Gilas Pilipinas of their win over New Zealand within the second window of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers.
However as a substitute of basking within the glory of one other Brownlee basic, the longtime Ginebra import selected to speak about another person.
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In Gilas’ 93-89 win over the Tall Blacks at Mall of Asia Enviornment on Thursday, Kai Sotto wowed the house crowd with an all-around recreation that impressed even Brownlee.
READ: Kai Sotto places on spectacular exhibiting to defend Gilas house court docket
After seeing his development up shut, Brownlee grew to become a believer of Sotto and mentioned he can now grasp with the large boys within the massive league.
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“I’ve been saying that I really feel like he’s ok to play within the NBA, in my view,” mentioned a beaming Brownlee after enjoying for 37 minutes within the dub.
“After all, he has the peak, measurement and ability however he’s been bettering a lot and for me, it’s simply nice to see a participant like him with a lot potential.”
Sotto flexed his muscle mass towards New Zealand as he registered a close to triple-double together with his qualifier-best 19 factors, 10 rebounds and 7 assists plus two steals and two blocks to match.
READ: Gilas Pilipinas beats New Zealand for first time in Fiba
Sotto continued his upward trajectory after he posted a double-double in Gilas’ final recreation towards Chinese language Taipei with 18 factors and 10 rebounds.
Exterior of the numbers, Sotto additionally helps with the intangibles, together with making the sport simpler for his fellow Gilas swingmen.
Simply ask Brownlee, who felt the sport come simpler to him after enjoying with Sotto on the hardwood.
“He does plenty of issues rather well, taking pictures, an incredible skill-set, passing and he can do every thing on the court docket. He’s 7’4 and might do every thing,” Brownlee mentioned.
“It’s enjoyable enjoying with him and he positively makes the sport so much simpler for everyone.”
Brownlee completed with a double-double himself with 26 factors and 11 rebounds plus two steals and two blocks on the defensive finish.
The dual towers of Brownlee and Sotto look to energy Gilas another time within the second window of the qualifiers once they face Hong Kong on the identical venue.
