The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is still on pins and needles as it awaits the International Basketball Federation verdict on naturalized player Justin Brownlee.
SBP president Al Panlilio told Daily Tribune that the world-governing basketball body has yet to inform them of its decision on the looming suspension on Brownlee, who tested positive for banned substances in the aftermath of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Brownlee, 35, is facing a lengthy sentence after traces of cannabis was found in his system a day after Gilas Pilipinas emerged victorious in the men’s basketball event of the Asian Games.
Although cannabis is widely used as an alternative medicine, the World Anti-Doping Agency still included it in its list of banned substances due to addictive nature.
Although contesting the outcome of the drug test done by the Lausanne-based International Testing Agency is an option, the SBP decided to move on and respect the result of the initial test.
Now, the federation is keeping its fingers crossed, hoping that Brownlee will avert a 24-month suspension that is usually imposed to those who were found using banned substances.
“None yet,” Panlilio replied via Viber message when asked for an update on Brownlee’s case.
Despite testing positive for banned substances, the Olympic Council of Asia and the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee made it clear that the country will still retain its first men’s basketball gold medal in 61 years.
In fact, Panlilio, San Miguel Corporation president Ramon Ang, Philippine Basketball Association chairman Ricky Vargas and PBA commissioner Willie Marcial hosted a dinner to appreciate the hard work and sacrifices of the Gilas squad handled by Tim Cone. Panlilio, however, denied that their discussion centered around the formation of the national team for future international events.
“It was just a simple recognition dinner for the Asian Games,” the SBP chief said.
Former Gilas coach Yeng Guiao heaved a sigh of relief upon knowing that the sorry development will hardly affect the brilliance of Gilas Pilipinas.
“Actually, I was more nervous of losing the gold medal than the verdict on Brownlee, because we know Justin can still come back and play,” Guiao, who handled Gilas in the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta in 2019 and the FIBA World Cup in China in 2019, said.
“I felt relieved learning that we still have the gold, but on the other hand, you’ll feel sad as well on what happened with Justin.”
While waiting for the FIBA verdict Brownlee’s PBA team in Barangay Ginebra San Miguel took its next step by tapping former Meralco import Tony Bishop as replacement.
