Gin Kings face Taiwanese

MANILA, Philippines — Justin Brownlee marks his anticipated return while a bevy of new Gin Kings are set for baptism of fire as Barangay Ginebra tests its mettle in the Macau International Basketball Challenge today.

Game time is at 8:30 p.m. with the Gin Kings taking on the P.League+ champion New Taipei Kings of Taiwan for a one-game exhibition duel at the Tap Seac Multi-Sports Pavilion.

Brownlee, the naturalized player of Gilas Pilipinas, returns to his old role as Ginebra’s resident import as part of their preparations for the PBA Season 49 starting with the Commissioner’s Cup on Aug. 18 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The evergreen import did not play last season due to his FIBA suspension but is expected to strut the same stuff as a six-time PBA champion and three-time Best Import awardee.

And this time around, he will have new teammates in No. 3 rookie pick RJ Abarrientos, rising star big man Isaac Go, last season’s Rookie of the Year Stephen Holt and slotman Ben Adamos.