Justin Brownlee is tempering expectations ahead of his first game back after serving a months-long suspension due to a doping case.
The naturalized forward will be making his much-awaited return to the hardwood when Gilas Pilipinas takes on Hong Kong to start their FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers campaign on February 22 at the Tsuen Wan Stadium.
“I don’t expect to play at my best. But I think in due time, I can get back to that level,” he offered during the press conference organized by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas on Monday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Brownlee hasn’t seen action since steering the program to the men’s basketball gold medal in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
He opted to serve a provisional suspension period that commenced on November 9 of last year.
The three-time PBA Best Import deemed it best to do so after traces of 11-Nor-9-carboxy-THX, a substance linked to cannabis use, were found in his system.
The drug testing was conducted shortly after the gold medal game versus Jordan.
There, Brownlee finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block in over 38 minutes of play in the 70-60 victory.
The International Testing Agency made the announcement last October 12, mere days after the country’s historic success in the continental tilt.
He was feared to be suspended for a maximum of two years but was cleared by no less than FIBA just recently. The governing body issued Brownlee a Notice of Charge carrying a proposed three-month Period of Ineligibility.
“Being able to be back in the country,” he said, “and being around the basketball atmosphere, I just think it was great. It was a huge relief. Definitely ready to put the suspension past me and just looking forward to moving forward.”
The time away due to the suspension was a blessing in disguise in some way for it enabled him to recover better from an ankle surgery pre-Asiad, he said.
“Just coming from that surgery before the Asian Games, these last few months, it definitely gave me a lot of time to heal,” said the 35-year-old.
“I’m a little older now so whenever I can get some rest — unfortunately it came in a way it did — but whenever I can get some rest, I take it,” he added.
That is why he’s coming in fresher for the upcoming window but of course, there’s still his need to put in the work to regain his old form.
“I am a little bit older, but I still think I got a lot left in the tank,” said the six-time PBA champion with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
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