The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) stated that 36-year-old basketball legend Justin Brownlee is facing a "notice of an adverse analytical finding" related to a drug test.
According to a report from SPIN.ph, the international Anti-Doping Agency and the international basketball organization, Fiba, have been informed of the adverse test and will make the announcement at any time.
“Brownlee is currently dealing with the situation aided by his US-based lawyers,” the SBP said in a statement.
Second time
This will be the Ginebra import's second failed test. On October 6, 2023, following Gilas Pilipinas' triumph against Jordan in the Asian Games basketball championship, a random drug test revealed that the import had tested positive for "Carboxy-THC."
Brownlee might be subject to a longer punishment than the three months he was banned for following Gilas Pilipinas' historic Asian Games gold medal win in China if he is found guilty again.
Bump on Gilas plans
The national team's 2025 preparations will also be severely hampered by a protracted Brownlee suspension, since star center Kai Sotto is already expected to miss the season due to an ACL tear sustained in January.
However, Gilas doesn't have a tournament coming up, and any suspension is expected to be lifted by the time the national team plays in the FIBA Asia Cup in August in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Brownlee just finished a series against TNT in the PBA Commissioner's Cup finals, where Ginebra lost to the Tropang Giga in seven close games, culminating in an exciting overtime championship match.
