Possibly not seeing Justin Brownlee suit up for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the PBA Commissioner's Cup is definitely a bummer. Well, prepare to be bummed out some more as he could likely miss action for Gilas Pilipinas as well.
This comes after he tested positive for a banned substance during the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, wherein he led the Philippines to end a 61-year gold medal drought.
While the Asian Games is not a FIBA-sanctioned event, the sport's international governing body will still be looking into Brownlee's situation, according to veteran sportswriter Quinito Henson.
On One PH's Power & Play on Saturday, The Dean explained how FIBA is still connected to the doping case of the Gilas Pilipinas reinforcement.
"From an adverse analytical finding or AAF, this will become an (analytical) anti-doping rule violation, which is called AARV. And that means subject to sanction by not only the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) but also by FIBA," Henson said.
To further clarify FIBA's position, Henson pointed to the federation's overall authority over basketball competitions that are being played under FIBA rules.
"'Yung eligibility ng Olympic Council of Asia for basketball in the Asian Games is different from FIBA. But still, FIBA officials were used, FIBA operating rules of the game were used," Henson elaborated.
"Kaya in that perspective, under the purview din ng FIBA (ang Asian Games). When it comes to doping, especially since it is a very sensitive matter, they will go to the international federation for proper sanctioning," he added.
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Brownlee tested positive for carboxy-THC, which is typically linked to cannabis use. According to Gilas Pilpinas team manager Alfrancis Chua, the failed doping test can be attributed to the medical treatment that the 35-year-old forward had for his foot injury. He said they will not ask to retest Brownlee's B sample anymore.
At the moment, both Barangay Ginebra and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas are preparing for whatever sanction Brownlee will face.
(PM)