The humidity forced Justin Brownlee to just 10 points versus Cambodia.
Naturalized Filipino Justin Brownlee was only able to score 10 points in Gilas Pilipinas' tense loss to Cambodia in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games as he was drained by the scorching heat inside Elephant Hall 2 of the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh.
"He feels smothered, hindi siya makahinga, so that’s a real problem. In the first half I don’t think he scored. When do you ever see Justin go scoreless in one half?" Chot Reyes told the media after the game against the hosts.
It wasn't just Brownlee, though. Everyone felt the heat inside playing venue, so much that Gilas staff brought out coolers jampacked with ice to put ice packs on the players' backs when they were at the sidelines, or cover their heads to help cool them off.
"He was really drained, but let's not lose faith in Justin," team manager Butch Antonio told Noli Eala in Radyo5's Power & Play on Saturday.
"Justin is still Justin Brownlee."
The tireless workhorse who gained the love and adoration of countless Barangay Ginebra San Miguel fans showed his perseverance by trying to get used to the heat.
Brownlee told One Sports' Denise Tan that he talked to the hotel staff and requested them to turn the air conditioning off when he went to the gym. That's 20 minutes on the bike and 15 minutes more on the treadmill.
He could have gone for more, JB shared to One Sports, but he didn't want to overdo it.
On Saturday, before the game against Singapore, Justin Noypi said felt much better. But he continued to struggle nonetheless, scoring only 12 points and missing all three of his 3-point attempts. It didn't matter, though, as Marcio Lassiter, Cjay Perez, Jerom Lastimosa, Mike Phillips, and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser all finished in double figures as Gilas beat Singapore to book a seat to the crossover semis.
All this begs the question: Did the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) prepare for these terrible conditions?
Antonio told Eala they [SBP officials] were discussing with Cambodia about the playing conditions of the venues, but they did not anticipate such conditions "to that extent."
"Is the venue airconditioned? Ang sabi nila they'll put portable air conditioning," Antonio shared. They put up 25 of those units up in the stands. "I don't think it's enough."
Aside from the scorching heat, multiple players have also slipped on the substandard, linoleum-covered floors . Staff members were seen wiping the floors even during the game, when athletes were clashing on the other side of the court.
"'Pag linoleum 'yung flooring, konting basa lang sobrang parang skating rink na 'yan," Antonio shared.
Gilas, according to Antonio, even got permission to allow its staff to help in wiping the floor with towels.
Obviously, these are not the playing conditions Gilas is used to playing in, but they would just have to deal with it if they want to take back that gold.
"It's just a matter of how we get to adapt and be ready for the conditions that we have."
The team took a positive step towards that end in its win over Singapore. It will have to keep it up in the next few days, especially with reigning SEA Games champion Indonesia looming, along with a potential rematch with Cambodia for the gold.
(With reports from Denise Tan, One Sports)
(MDB)