Cone faces new challenge as Gilas moves forward without Brownlee

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
August 29, 2026

Photo Courtesy: FIBA

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone admitted that coaching the national team without Justin Brownlee left him feeling unusually exposed, but the team responded with a hard-fought victory over Jordan in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.

The Philippines escaped with an 82-81 overtime win, overcoming the absence of Brownlee, whom Cone has long relied on as a key piece of the national team.

Cone described Brownlee as his “comfort blanket,” acknowledging how accustomed he has become to having the naturalized Filipino on the court during crucial games.

But with Brownlee unavailable, Gilas had to find other ways to win and several players stepped up when the team needed them most.

Kai Sotto, AJ Edu and June Mar Fajardo gave the Philippines added size, while Kevin Quiambao delivered the go-ahead three-pointer in overtime. Sotto then came up with a crucial block in the final seconds to preserve the narrow victory.

Cone said Brownlee’s absence ultimately made the win even more meaningful because the rest of the team was forced to take greater responsibility.

The victory gives Gilas a crucial boost, but the job is far from finished as the Philippines prepares for another difficult matchup against Iran.

For Cone, the challenge is no longer simply replacing Brownlee, it is finding a winning formula that allows Gilas to remain competitive without its familiar safety net.

Without its “comfort blanket,” Gilas found a way to survive. Now, Cone hopes the team can prove it can thrive without it.