Gilas, Tim Cone await Justin Bronwlee's FIBA clearance as Asia Cup qualifiers loom

Newly-appointed Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone remains hopeful that naturalized player Justin Brownlee will get his clearance from FIBA just in time for the 2025 Asia Cup qualifiers slated next month.

Brownlee was named to Cone's 12-man roster for the window alongside several PBA players and Japan B. League imports. But the fate of the Ginebra resident import hangs in the balance pending his clearance from the international basketball body in relation to his anti-doping violations last year.

The 35-year-old reinforcement tested positive for Carboxy-THC that is linked to cannabis use and is prohibited in sporting events. The development came just days following Gilas' historic gold medal run in the 19th Asian Games in China last October 2023.

"Justin Brownlee is gonna be our naturalized player if everything works out with FIBA and their decision, we’re hoping to come down sometime this week," Cone said on Monday.

"Hopefully (the decision) free him up for the window on the 22nd."

Should Brownlee gain clearance from FIBA, he could suit up for his fourth stint in the national team after the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, 2023 SEA Games, and the 19th Asian Games.

Leading Cone's 12-man roster are June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo, Calvin Oftana, Chris Newsome, and CJ Perez while Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Carl Tamayo, and Kai Sotto, and UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao round out the squad.

Gilas will take on Hong Kong on the road on February 22 at the Tsuen Wan Stadium before hosting Chinese Taipei on the 25th at the PhilSports Arena to close out the first window.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News