Brownlee unfazed by Gilas Pilipinas' rankings ahead of OQT

Gilas Pilipinas' naturalized player Justin Brownlee stated that the team is not concerned about their rankings as they prepare for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Latvia.

He acknowledged the difficulty of playing against higher-ranked opponents but emphasized that the team trusts their preparation under coach Tim Cone.

Brownlee believes that qualifying for the Olympics requires playing against the best teams in the world and views it as a great experience.

The Philippines, currently ranked 37th, needs to finish in the Top 2 of Group A against Latvia (world No. 6) and Georgia (world No. 23) and win their crossover semis and the one-game finale to qualify for the Olympics.

Brownlee expressed confidence, stating, "No matter they're ranked higher than us, you know they put on their shoes like we put on our shoes and we come in to represent the country in the right way, in the best way we can."

In a recent game against the Taiwan Mustangs, Brownlee contributed 15 assists, 12 points, and five rebounds in a 74-64 victory, showcasing his all-around performance.