Justin Brownlee cleared for Gilas action in February window, says SBP

Naturalized player Justin Brownlee will be able to join Gilas Pilipinas in the first window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, according to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

The basketball body said FIBA issued a Notice of Charge with a three-month period of ineligibility in connection with Brownlee's anti-doping violation during the Asian Games in Hangzhou last October 2023.

Brownlee tested positive for the banned Carboxy-THC by the International Testing Agency and according to SBP, the naturalized player started his provisional suspension on November 9, 2023. The provisional suspension made him unavailable for the PBA Commissioner's Cup where he is supposed to play for Barangay Ginebra.

According to SBP, "Brownlee not playing a game since the gold-medal winning effort against Jordan hastened his return to the national team along with the fact that the banned substance he used was taken out-of-competition and unrelated to performance enhancement."

Previously, SBP executive director Erika Dy also said should Brownlee be given a three-month suspension, it would allow the naturalized player to suit up for the February window of the Asia Cup qualifiers since the three-month period would end by February 8.

With the clearance out, Brownlee said he wants to return to action for the national team.

“I can’t wait to play basketball again and put all of this behind me,” Brownlee said in a statement. “It’s always been an honor to represent the Philippines and I’m happy to be given the chance again.”

SBP president Al Panlilio, meanwhile, said Brownlee's clearance will benefit the national team.

“We’re elated that the consequences FIBA issued does not prevent Justin Brownlee to play for Gilas in the upcoming window,” SBP president Al Panlilio said in a statement. “Having him as our naturalized player alongside some of our locals that he has already played with before will be beneficial to the squad.”

Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone echoed Panlilio's statement.

“Justin Brownlee is a big part of the team and the program moving forward and having him means we can hit the ground running,” Cone shared. “He’s already played with most of the guys so chemistry will already be there. He can now ramp up his conditioning and be ready to go once his suspension is lifted.”

Brownlee will join Ginebra teammates Scottie Thompson and Jamie Malonzo, and the likes of Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, CJ Perez, June Mar Fajardo, Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Carl Tamayo, Kai Sotto, and Kevin Quiambao in the upcoming window. The Philippines will play Hong Kong on February 22 and Chinese Taipei on February 25.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News