FIBA to release decision on Justin Brownlee ‘anytime this week’

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is expecting FIBA’s decision on the eligibility of Justin Brownlee to be released this week.

“We were told that it would come in anytime this week. So we’re hoping that he gets the lowest level of suspension which is a three-month period,” said new SBP executive director Erika Dy on Tuesday, January 30.

“That three month period will end on February 8. So that’s just in time for this window, that’s what we’re hoping for,” she added.

Brownlee, who has been absent from public view, may have his extended absence from basketball considered retroactively through the voluntary suspension provision.

This follows the revelation by the International Testing Agency that the beloved Brgy. Ginebra import had tested positive for Carboxy-THC, a prohibited substance, shortly after Gilas Pilipinas’ historic Asian Games gold medal victory in October 2023.

The Philippine Olympic Committee suggested that the substance may have been present in Brownlee’s medication following his recovery from foot surgery in June 2023.

Nonetheless, during the Philippine Sportswriters Association awards night on Monday, January 29, Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone expressed confidence that Brownlee would soon be able to return to play.

Cone, who has been appointed as the permanent head coach, has inserted Brownlee to the 12-man pool as the national team gears up for the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in February.

Gilas will travel to Hong Kong to play on February 22 and then defend home court against Chinese Taipei on February 25 at the PhilSports Arena.

The other 11 players in the pool include Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo, and AJ Edu from Japan B. League. Unfortunately, Edu is likely to miss out due to another knee injury.

UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao and Gin Kings forward Jamie Malonzo are also part of the pool, alongside June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, CJ Perez, Calvin Oftana, and Chris Newsome.