GILAS Pilipinas received a piece of good news heading to its initial foray in the coming FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
Justin Brownlee was cleared to play for the national team in the opening window of the tournament starting on Feb. 22 after FIBA issued a Notice of Charge to the naturalized player carrying a proposed three month period of ineligibility in relation to the anti-doping rule violation he committed during the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
The Barangay Ginebra stalwart opted to serve a provisional suspension period which commenced on Nov. 9 last year and lasts until Feb. 9.
Brownlee not playing a game since the gold-medal winning game against Jordan in the Asiad hastened his return to Gilas Pilipinas, along with the fact the banned substance he used was taken out of competition and unrelated to performance enhancement, according to a press statement made by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
The turn of events meant Brownlee will be available in the Asia Cup qualifiers where the country battles Hong Kong on Feb. 22 at the Tsuen Wan Stadium and Chinese Taipei on Feb. 25 at the Philsports Arena.
The six-time PBA champion is part of the 12-man roster named by head coach Tim Cone to comprise Gilas Pilipinas in the first window together with Ginebra teammates Scottie Thompson and Jamie Malonzo, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, CJ Perez, June Mar Fajardo, Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Carl Tamayo, Kai Sotto, and Kevin Quiambao.
“Justin Brownlee is a big part of the team and the program moving forward, and having him means we can hit the ground running,” said Cone.
“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,”
Added SBP president Al S. Panlilio, “We’re elated that the consequences FIBA issued does not prevent Justin Brownlee to play for Gilas in the upcoming windows. Having him as our naturalized player alongside some of our locals that he has already played with before will be beneficial to the squad.”
Brownlee opting to serve the provisional suspension period led to him not suiting up for Barangay Ginebra in the Commissioner’s Cup where the Kings were hoping to retain their title.
Unfortunately, the team run smack on a rampaging San Miguel side and was swept in the best-of-five semifinals, 3-0.(RG)
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