The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas says it doesn't expect any suspension for Justin Brownlee despite the "adverse analytical finding" reported last March, which means JB could still suit up for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup.
There’s no suspension on Justin Brownlee, according to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy.
SBP made the clarification after Brownlee received a "notice of an adverse analytical finding" back in March, following Gilas Pilipinas’ win against New Zealand in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers last November.
[RELATED STORY: SBP aware of Justin Brownlee's notice of an adverse analytical finding]
“I know there are reports on adverse findings on his doping exam last November against New Zealand. We’ve received that report,” said Dy after the SBP National Congress on Friday, May 9.
There were no specifics given regarding that FIBA report.
“But just to clarify matters, there’s no suspension at this point in time. We don’t expect any. There’s just a lot of delicate details that we cannot discuss because doping is a very sensitive matter. It’s very personal on the person.”
Concerns arose about Brownlee's availability for the Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia this August.
That was compounded by a dislocated right thumb he sustained in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
[ALSO READ: Ginebra PT Arcee Cua in awe of Brownlee’s NSD spirit: 'Kung hindi siya fighter, wala rin’]
But Dy was quick to allay fears he wouldn’t be able to suit up in the Asia Cup.
“Si Justin never reported that he just had surgery on his hand. He’s supposed to be back in a month or two months and then OK na sya. So we do expect him to play in the Asia Cup,” she said.
Back in February 2024, Brownlee was cleared to play for Gilas Pilipinas in the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.
This was after the International Testing Agency (ITA) announced Brownlee failed an anti-doping test in the 19th Asian Games back in October 2023. His sample had traces of carboxy-THC, a specified prohibited substance typically linked to cannabis.
To emphasize, this case was not a performance-enhancing drug issue.
[ALSO READ: SBP: Justin Brownlee cleared to play for Gilas Pilipinas]
He sat out of national team duty from November 2023 to the first month of 2024, covering FIBA's Notice of Charge carrying a proposed three month period of ineligibility.