When the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced Tim Cone’s Gilas Pilipinas pool, there was one questionable player among the 12 members of the national team.
Justin Brownlee was designated as the naturalized player who would carry the flag for Gilas for the next five years, starting with the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.
However, Brownlee is currently serving a suspension after a failed drug test during the 19th Asian Games.
Cone, though, is optimistic that they will be able to suit Brownlee up in time for their road game against Hong Kong and the home game against Chinese-Taipei later this month.
FIBA has yet to release the possible sanction that will be imposed on Brownlee.
But according to SBP executive director Erika Dy, Brownlee will most likely only serve a three-month suspension. Moreover, it would be retroactive to the date when he last played, which was October 6.
Since then, Brownlee has not participated in any basketball-related activity.
“We’re hoping he gets the lowest level of suspension, which is a three-month period,” said Dy.
If worse comes to worst, Cone is ready to call up Angelo Kouame.
“We do have Ange Kouame, who is in France, who can come over if it looks like Justin’s suspension will be longer,” he disclosed.
“Still, we are optimistic that he will be here in the next few days, and through the grapevines, we are optimistic that he could very well be available for us. That’s the plan for us.”
