The governing body is taking its time.
As the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel continue to navigate their way in the PBA Commissioner's Cup sans their resident import, Justin Brownlee is also trying to stay the course while he waits for the decision of FIBA regarding his failed doping test in the Asian Games.
Fans are excited to see Brownlee back on the court, especially following his heroic stint for Gilas Pilipinas in the quadrennial event in Hangzhou, China. Despite the unfortunate development, many have still rallied behind the beloved forward.
But it looks like fans won't be seeing much of Brownlee in the coming weeks, even on the stands during Ginebra's games.
According to veteran sports analyst Quinito Henson, the 35-year-old Brownlee is still in Los Angeles waiting for his impending sanction from FIBA.
"Apparently, the decision is taking longer than usual because the Asian Games aren’t under FIBA’s direct jurisdiction and use the facilities of the Lausanne-based International Testing Agency (ITA) for doping analysis. Asian Games eligibility, for instance, isn’t aligned with FIBA. But playing rules, officials, and technical operating procedures are," wrote Henson in his column for the Philippine Star on Friday.
Henson already earlier explained that while Brownlee will definitely be suspended, there's a chance that he could return as early as January because of the "point of extraction" factor. The three-time PBA Best Import was found to have traces of carboxy-THC, which is usually linked to cannabis use.
While he can still join Ginebra's activities since he hasn't been penalized by FIBA yet, that has not been the case. The PBA and Ginebra haven't sanctioned him as well.
Brownlee recently joined a venture co-founded by former NBA player Metta World Peace.
Quoting Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas official Erika Dy, who's also FIBA's legal commission chairperson, Henson said the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas already received a "notice from FIBA last week advising that ITA has forwarded Brownlee’s result."
It remains unclear when Justin Noypi will fly back to the Philippines. What's clear though is that fans want to catch a glimpse of him, even while wearing street clothes. But just like FIBA's decision on his case, that would have to wait.
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Ginebra, led by current import Tony Bishop, will face the Magnolia Hotshots in the latest chapter of Manila Clasico tonight.
Catch it live at 6 p.m. on A2Z, PBA Rush, and the Pilipinas Live app.