Brownlee availability for Asia Cup dims amid appeals on drug test

May 11 ------ THERE is a growing fear that Justin Brownlee may not be available to play for Gilas Pilipinas in the coming Fiba Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudia Arabia. Sources told SPIN.ph that Brownlee's camp has appealed the ‘adverse analytical finding' on his urine sample that came out when he was tested after Gilas' away qualifier against New Zealand last February 23. 

The appeals, the source added, raise hope that Brownlee's name will be cleared but also comes with risks when it comes to the Gilas naturalized player's availability for the Asian championships set to begin on August 6. Another source bared that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) preferred Brownlee's camp to just accept the adverse findings so the 37-year old can serve out his suspension in time for the Jeddah tournament. 

Brownlee last played for Barangay Ginebra in the Game Seven loss to TNT in the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals last March 28. The import played through a torn UCL in the thumb on his shooting hand during the PBA Finals. He underwent surgery in the second week of April and is expected to be fit in time for the Asia Cup, should he be eligible by then. But the drug case is a different matter. “If he was able to serve his suspension as soon as the PBA Finals ended last March, Justin could have been in the second month of his ban. But since his camp has launched appeals, the dilemma continues to drag on,” said the source. 

As it is, it is not known if the Fiba sanction would be longer than the three-month suspension Brownlee served when he first tested positive for a banned substance during Gilas' gold-medal campaign at the Asian Games in October 2023. The clock is now ticking for both Gilas and Brownlee. “The chances of him playing for Gilas on the August 6 tournament gets slimmer by the day,” said the source, who disclosed that SBP officials have long advised Brownlee camp to accept the result of the drug test. 

As for a Plan B, SBP insiders bared that Angge Kouame is the only choice for national coach Tim Cone should Brownlee be ineligible, unless the national federation decides to renew its ties with NBA player Jordan Clarkson. “That’s something we need to figure out" said the source. "But right now, time is not on Brownlee’s side and not in the Philippines’ favor." 

Source: spin.ph