Ginebra is already on the lookout for Justin Brownlee’s possible replacement with the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’ Cup is fast approaching.
Team governor Alfrancis Chua said that the Kings are preparing for any eventuality while they await the decision of concerned authorities on the three-time Best Import after failing a drug test during the 19th Asian Games.
“As of now, naghahanap kami ng replacement just in case,” he said during the league’s preseason presser at the Diamond Hotel Manila, Tuesday.
“Hindi namin alam kung too late na but if we’re just gonna wait and biglang ibagsak sa amin ‘yung bomba, mawawalan naman kami ng import.”
Brownlee has been the club’s resident import since 2016, but his status for the upcoming meet is now up in the air. A test during the Asiad found traces of 11-Nor-9-carboxy-THX, a substance linked to cannabis use, in his system.
The doping test was conducted shortly after the naturalized Filipino helped Gilas Pilipinas win the men’s basketball gold in the continental tilt in China.
The International Testing Agency (ITA) made the announcement just last October 12, mere days after the country’s historic success in the continental tilt.
He actually has until October 19 to appeal and submit his B-sample. If found guilty, however, the 35-year-old could face a two-year suspension, which includes not being able to play in the Filipino pro league.
If Chua were asked, though, he will no longer contest and just wait for whatever sanction will be handed to Brownlee.
“What I read na if you appeal, they’re gonna open ‘yung B na tinatawag, But if you’re gonna look at the process itself, A and B is the same urine, right?
“Why are you gonna tell them to open it and question them, or ico-contest mo, eh ‘yung bubuksan ganun din,” he said. “Kung ako tatanungin, hindi ko na ico-contest. Bakit ko pa ico-contest eh pareho ‘yung laman?”
But then, the decision rests in the hands of Brownlee, with the consultation of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), said Chua.
“We’re behind Justin,” the amiable executive said. “But again, this is too personal. Kailangan respetuhin natin kung ano ‘yung gusto niya. But we’re giving him feedback, ‘yung mga naririnig namin, to help him out.”
With regards to the replacement, Chua said that there are already names being discussed but it will still depend on the decision on Brownlee.
