Cone said it's just been over a month since the 6-foot-4 Brownlee underwent what he described as a "major surgery" on his ankle to remove bone spurs from three different areas last August. Gilas Pilipinas’ Justin Brownlee shoots against two Cambodian players during the 32nd Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball finals on May 16, 2023, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The American mentor said knowing Brownlee, he's that type of player who would "not want to miss practice or games" despite some aches and pains he feels. You don't ever see him miss games or miss practices but he's willing to play through aches and pains and hurts, that's why we're so successful for so long, because he doesn't miss practice or games," shared Cone. To date, the 65-year-old Cone is the PBA's all-time winningest head coach in history, and he hopes his partnership with the 35-year-old Brownlee in the Asian Games will spell the same success.

Source: Manila Times September 18, 2023 13:10 UTC