POC reveals possible moves for SBP, Justin Brownlee after failed doping test in Asian Games

There are still several steps that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) can take after Gilas Pilipinas forward Justin Brownlee failed a doping test in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, according to the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) on Friday. 

The International Testing Agency (ITA) on Thursday night announced that it found traces of carboxy-THC, which is part of the prohibited list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), in Brownlee's sample. Carboxy-THC is associated with the use of cannabis.

The ITA has been mandated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to independently handle areas of the anti-doping program of the 19th Asian Games.

"Anti-doping rule violation: The ITA reports that a sample collected from basketball player Justin Brownlee (Philippines) during the @19thAGofficial has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding for a specified prohibited substance," tweeted ITA.

Anti-doping rule violation: The ITA reports that a sample collected from basketball player Justin Brownlee (Philippines) during the@19thAGofficial has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding for a specified prohibited substance.

?? https://t.co/2urC0BJnAV#KeepingSportReal pic.twitter.com/yrgEz2IKFx

— International Testing Agency (@IntTestAgency) October 12, 2023

POC president Bambol Tolentino confirmed to News5 that their office, along with Brownlee, received the notice last night.

 

"'Yung move ni Brownlee at ng SBP, may deadline naman 'yan hanggang (October) 19 to submit kung acknowledging all and waiving their rights to appeal or to waiving their rights to sample B. If they will appeal if (sample B) tests positive again," Tolentino said in an online interview.

 

If the A sample turned out to be positive for a prohibited substance, an athlete may request an analysis of his or her B sample, according to WADA's Athletes' Anti-Doping Rights Act. An athlete could also waive the right to test the B sample and just appeal. If the B sample does not confirm the A sample, the athlete will be allowed to participate in future competitions.

 

Tolentino shared that the SBP is already looking into Brownlee's medication, and whether it does have a carboxy-THC component.

 

"'Yun na ang pinag-uusapan. 'Yung sabi ng SBP na Brownlee is in medication before pa kaya 'di nakalaro ng FIBA World Cup dahil injured, may medication siya. Doon tine-trace kung baka sa medication kung may component," Tolentino said.

 

To recall, the 35-year-old Brownlee underwent a "non-basketball medical procedure" during the preparations for the FIBA World Cup. Coach Tim Cone confirmed last month Brownlee underwent the removal of bone spurs.  

 

In the Asian Games group stage, Cone admitted that Brownlee was not fully healthy against Thailand, saying "his foot is bothering him more than a little bit." 

 

What if the B sample still tests positive?

 

"If you will appeal it to the (Court of Arbitration for Sport) and explain everything at napatunayan na merong medical condition talaga, na may tinake siya na (gamot) na may component na prohibited, they will discuss it kung iga-grant 'yung appeal or what, kung tatanggapin 'yung explanation. They can be reduced to a month or three months suspension," Tolentino explained.

 

The period of suspension would depend on whether the anti-doping rule violation was intentional or not, and whether the use was found to be unrelated to sports performance, according to WADA rules.

 

The gold medal though would remain with the Philippines, Tolentino claimed.

 

"Atin pa rin ang gold," he said. "I don't think that the gold will be stripped from us because it's (basketball) a team (sport)."

 

The OCA anti-doping rules, particularly Article 11.2 states that the loss of points and other such sanctions would only take effect on team sports if "more than two members" were found to have committed an anti-doping rule violation.

 

(With reports from News5)

 

(PM)