The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is expecting Justin Brownlee to reinforce Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 in August.
SBP executive director Erika Dy is optimistic that the naturalized winger should be able to play without impediment as he will not serve any suspension in relation to another doping problem — as far as the federation is concerned.
“I know there are reports of adverse findings on his doping exam last November against New Zealand. We’ve received that report,” she told reporters moments after the SBP’s annual national congress in Pasig, Friday.
“But just to clarify matters, there’s no suspension at this point in time. And we don’t expect any,” added the former player turned exec.
Brownlee has been issued a notice of an adverse analytical finding from his urine sample taken last November, particularly after Gilas’ stunner of New Zealand in Window 2 of the Asia Cup Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The development marks the second time that the Barangay Ginebra import has flunked a drug test after a banned substance was found.
(c) POC-PSC Media Group
He previously tested positive for Carboxy-THC, a substance prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency, following his heroic stint in the 19th Asian Games in 2022 in which he led the Nationals to a historic gold medal.
Brownlee had to serve a three-month suspension, with the Kings affected the most as they lost their resident reinforcement in the PBA Season 48.
But for the present matter, the Samahan is also being careful while the governing body of basketball deliberates the case.
“There’s just a lot of delicate details that we cannot discuss, because doping is a very delicate matter, a sensitive matter,” offered Dy.
“It’s very personal on the person hat’s why Brownlee and his lawyers are handling [it themselves], and also his medical doctors.”
What’s certain for now, though, is that Brownlee is treading the road to recovery already after undergoing surgery on his dislocated thumb, which he suffered during the Kings’ Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals series versus TNT.
“Ginebra reported that he just had surgery on his hand. He’s supposed to be back in a month or two, and then OK na siya,” said Dy.
“So we do expect him to play at the Asia Cup.”
#WATCH: “SI JUSTIN, FIGHTER ‘YAN!” 🇵🇭
Ginebra team governor Alfrancis Chua shares an encouraging update on Justin Brownlee’s injury 🏀
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times#LabanPilipinas pic.twitter.com/lTHkTIBTdT
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) May 9, 2025
