THE sacrifice of naturalized Filipino and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel resident import Justin Brownlee in not playing after being tested with the use of a banned substance bore fruit.
World basketball governing body FIBA issued a “Notice of Charge” against “Noypi” Brownlee that carries a proposed three-month period of ineligibility in relation to the doping violation committed during the Hangzhou Asian Games last year.
This means Brownlee is now cleared to play for the Philippine men’s national basketball team since the sanction will be in effect retroactively and the well-loved import only has to accept the notice.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and Gilas Pilipinas permanent head coach Tim Cone were elated with the news, which means their preparations for the two FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers where they will Hong Kong on February 22 and Chinese Taipei on February 25 are now on track.
Cone said he is not worried about chemistry since Brownlee already played with most of the players in the rejigged Gilas squad and should instead focus on regaining his conditioning and strength after a long layoff.