Amos soaks up Gilas experience

Mason Amos FIBA PHOTO

(UPDATE) YOUNG wingman Mason Amos is enjoying his latest stint with Gilas Pilipinas.

Who wouldn't, considering he's got no less than six-time PBA champion and three-time Best Import Justin Brownlee as his mentor at Gilas?

The youngest player in the national squad at 19, Amos came in as a replacement for injured Barangay Ginebra wingman Jamie Malonzo, who sustained a calf injury a few months back during the PBA Philippine Cup.

"He (Brownlee) teaches me everything. He's been emphasizing how important the little details are and that having even a little mistake can mess things up. So trying to be accurate in everything," Amos told The Manila Times.

Amos earned another chance to play for Gilas since he last saw action for the national team during its gold-medal stint in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

While playing sparingly, Amos considered it a blessing and had grown close with Brownlee, who he considers his mentor.

Now, he's reunited with the Gilas naturalized player who helped engineer the Philippines' 74-64 win over the Taiwan Mustangs in their tune-up game last Monday after finishing with 12 points, 15 assists and five rebounds.

"It was a great experience," Amos said, referring to the game against the Mustangs, where he contributed three points in four minutes of action. "I've just had to learn the new system and that's the only tough part."

Still, the strong bond is what makes his Gilas experience enjoyable.

"I'm having an easy transition bonding with my teammates," he added.