Justin Brownlee is back in action for Gilas Pilipinas, rejoining the team’s preparations for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah. He was cleared by FIBA and fully recovered from a thumb injury.
Gilas Pilipinas has received a timely boost with the return of naturalized star Justin Brownlee, as the national team ramps up preparations for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup set in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia next month.
Brownlee, who was cleared by FIBA regarding the presence of Carboxy-THC, quickly got to work after arriving in Manila earlier this week.
FIBA concluded that Brownlee’s positive test for Carboxy-THC back in November 2024 does not constitute an Anti-Doping Rule Violation, taking into account an approved Therapeutic Use Exemption. With this, the six-time PBA champion is all set to don the Gilas jersey again in official competition.
Recall that back in October 2023, the International Testing Agency (ITA) announced Brownlee failed an anti-doping test in the 19th Asian Games.
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.
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.
On March 2024, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) received a "notice of an adverse analytical finding" of Brownlee's exam, following Gilas Pilipinas’ win against New Zealand in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers last November.
The SBP though made it clear that there was no suspension.
[ALSO READ: Gilas: ‘No suspension at this point in time’ for Justin Brownlee, says SBP]
Though still regaining full game shape following a thumb injury that sidelined him during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, Brownlee has already joined practices under head coach Tim Cone and is expected to play a key role in the upcoming continental tournament.
The SBP confirmed JB has "fully recovered" from that thumb injury.
Also in training are national team mainstays Dwight Ramos, Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo, Chris Newsome, Carl Tamayo, AJ Edu, and Japeth Aguilar, alongside Troy Rosario and RJ Abarrientos.
[ALSO READ: Abando, Abarrientos, Rosario, and Lucero added to Gilas pool for FIBA Asia Cup]
The squad is currently in the thick of two-a-day sessions in Manila, aiming to reestablish chemistry and refine the systems that were previously laid out during the Asia Cup Qualifiers windows.
“We’re just getting back together so we’re all just trying to get on the same page,” said Ramos. “We’re playing catch-up but we’ll just have to work harder and be prepared as best as we can.”
Gilas will continue practices until July 30, with a brief training camp scheduled in Pampanga from July 25 to 27. A tune-up game against the Macau Black Bears is also slated for July 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to cap off the buildup.
[ALSO READ: Gilas to treat Macau tune-up as full-blown test ahead of FIBA Asia Cup, says Dwight Ramos]
Still expected to join are Kevin Quiambao, who is currently in the US, and PBA stars June Mar Fajardo, CJay Perez, and Calvin Oftana once the Philippine Cup Finals conclude.
Despite limited time with a full roster, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio remains optimistic.
“That’s the beauty of having a smaller pool,” he said. “There are things beyond our control but we’re thankful to the PBA for adjusting their calendar. Coach Tim’s idea is to focus on continuity and build chemistry quickly.”