JUSTIN Brownlee is set to return to the Philippines on Sunday as Barangay Ginebra prepares to take a lengthy break following the first stretch of the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Ginebra head coach Tim Cone confirmed that Brownlee will arrive Sunday night and will join Gilas Pilipinas practice on Monday.
“He’s arriving tomorrow, Sunday night, and he’ll be in practice on Monday with Gilas,” Cone said.
With Brownlee’s return nearing, temporary Ginebra import Riley Grigsby will head home on Monday after finishing his stint with the Gin Kings.
Cone, however, said Grigsby will remain on call in case Ginebra needs him again.
“No, he’s going home on Monday,” Cone said when asked if Grigsby would remain with the team.
“But he’s on call?” Cone was asked. “Yeah,” Cone replied.
Grigsby capped his stint with Ginebra with a monster 34-point, 10-rebound performance despite the team’s 97-88 loss to Meralco on Friday.
The 26-year-old import has also expressed his willingness to return to Ginebra if the team needs him again, particularly after building a strong connection with the franchise and its fans.
The Gin Kings will now have an extended period to recharge after a difficult opening stretch.
Cone said the team will take roughly three weeks off, with the PBA’s next Ginebra game not scheduled until October 9.
“They’ll be going on a break for about three weeks. I mean they have six weeks off. The next game is until October 9,” Cone said.
The long break will give Ginebra an opportunity to recover after a demanding period, with several players also expected to be involved in national team duties.
“It’s nearly eight, so this is a time we can get our guys to recharge and get the break they didn’t get after the last championship. Now they’ll get a chance,” Cone said.
For Ginebra, the extended pause comes at an important point as the team looks to regroup, await Brownlee’s return and prepare for the next phase of the Governors’ Cup. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
