Naturalized Filipino cager Justin Brownlee looks to continue Gilas Pilipinas’ winning ways, supplementing the Nationals in their tourneys against Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup’s February 22-25, 2024 qualification window. The 35-year-old forward arrived in Manila last Tuesday, February 6, 2024, with the blessing of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to participate in overseas matches starting February 9, 2024.
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Brownlee failed to see action for the national program since October 2023, following his violation of the federation’s anti-doping rule, where he tested positive for carboxy-THC—a prohibited substance typically found in cannabis. The frontman of Gilas Pilipinas’ 19th Asian Games gold medal feat received “a Notice of Charge carrying a proposed three-month period of ineligibility.” The charge expires on the second week of February.
During halftime of the second game of the Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup final, courtside reporter Apple David briefly spoke with SBP’s newly appointed executive director, Erika Dy, motioning the association’s awaited anticipation for Brownlee’s return.
“We're very happy to report that Justin can officially play beginning the 9th of February. That's when his three-month suspension ends, and so we're trying to bring him into the country back home within this week,” Dy mentioned.
Once again under his Barangay Ginebra San Miguel mentor, Tim Cone, he reunites with professional club teammates Scottie Thompson and Jamie Malonzo, alongside members of the 19th Asian Games roster in Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, CJ Perez, and June Mar Fajardo.
Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Carl Tamayo, Kai Sotto, and Kevin Quiambao unite on the regional stage, aligning with Cone’s four-year blueprint.
