Gilas fans cry 'malansa,' pick on 'bitter' China after Justin Brownlee's failed doping test in Asian Games

The Philippines woke up to startling news on Friday after it was announced that Gilas Pilipinas forward Justin Brownlee failed a doping test in the recently concluded Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

While nothing is categorically final yet, as Brownlee can appeal his case, fans couldn't help but express their various reactions on social media. While there were, as expected, some trolls, the majority of the posts were in support of the embattled Brownlee.

His sample "returned an adverse analytical finding for carboxy-THC, a specified prohibited substance," according to the International Testing Agency. Carboxy-THC is usually linked to cannabis use.

Many curious netizens, however, questioned the development. Naturally, an easy target for them was China, which hosted the Asian Games and lost to Gilas Pilipinas in the semifinals after Brownlee's magical performance for the ages. Not a few posited that China is still bitter about the defeat.

Why is so hard to trust China with this whole Justin Brownlee thing?

— Just (@justinmaniluh) October 13, 2023

Sobrang di maka move on yung mga na Brownlee na Chekwa. Almost 1 week na hanap pa din ng butas na mabawi ang gold. #ChinaMoves

— Ameliza Alagon (@alagon_ameliza) October 13, 2023

Masyadong malansa ang amoy ng balitang ito, tapos na ang Finals nanalo na ang Gilas at natalo na ang China. Gusto yata ipa disqualified si Justin Brownlee sa susunod na labang sasalihan ng Gilas. Tinik ba sa lalamunan ng Tsina si JB. Imbes na pahusayin laro nila i-DQ na lang

— Richard Ruiz (@archiekins29) October 13, 2023

China is so desperate about the gold medal and they accused Justin Noypi Brownlee using drugs?!🤔 pathetic. why they can't accept that they were defeated? fine we can surrender the gold if they want to but the fact that gilas defeat them cannot be changed anymore! haha. 😆🤘

— Ronald P. Montenegro (@RonaldPMontene1) October 13, 2023

Other also noted that Jordan's Sam Bzai failed his doping test as well. Jordan finished as runner-up to the Philippines. If the two countries are both forced to forfeit their medals, China could end up as the champion.

Bitter talaga itong China sa pagkatalo nila sa Pilipinas, trinatrabaho si Justin Brownlee pati yung isang player na Jordan, ang ending sa kanila yung Gold. 😂

— ilcnak (@ilcnakmn) October 13, 2023

JUSTIN BROWNLEE BUMAGSAK SA DOPING TEST AFTER NG ASIAN GAMES.

ISANG PLAYER NG JORDAN BAGSAK DIN.

KUNG MADISQUALIFY ANG GILAS AT JORDAN,

CHINA NA NAMAN MAGCHA CHAMPION?

— STORYMAKER (@T4rgetL0cked) October 13, 2023

so I heard Justin Brownlee failed the doping test and I also read somewhere that a Jordan player failed it too, am I smoking something or is China being petty at its usual? #AsianGames2023 #GilasPilipinas

— xx (@ArchiBr15088) October 13, 2023

One fan, meanwhile, urged the backers of Gilas Pilipinas to not leave Brownlee in arguably the biggest controversy in his career. 

SMC bosses RSA & SBP MVP should help Brownlee contest that allegation publicly too.samples found can be re-analyzed. but then who's to say those samples submitted by China to the ITA can be trusted? also cannabis is not a performance-enhancing drug so yes, talo pa rin kayo China

— Loidita (@loidita) October 13, 2023

Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino told News5 that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is already looking into Brownlee's medication for his bone spurs.

Amid all the speculations, one netizen probably summed it up best.

Kakastress yung kay Brownlee amp

— Katniss (@Netnet_420) October 13, 2023

As of writing, the SBP has yet to release a statement.

 (With reports from News5)