Justin Brownlee will miss Gilas Pilipinas’ game against Australia in the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers Window 3 due to multiple injuries, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced on Sunday.

The naturalized forward is dealing with a right hamstring strain, peroneal tendinopathy in his right leg, and swelling in his left knee accompanied by cartilage defects, ruling him out of the national team’s final game of the third window.

Brownlee’s absence leaves a significant gap for Gilas Pilipinas as it prepares to face Australia, with the spotlight now shifting to the team’s younger players to step up in his place.

The development comes after Gilas Pilipinas absorbed a tough 106-102 double-overtime loss to New Zealand in a grueling matchup last Friday, July 3.

With their veteran leader sidelined, the Filipinos are expected to lean on their emerging talents as they seek to close out the window on a strong note against a formidable Australian squad.