CHICAGO - When it rains, it pours.
Still teary-eyed after recently losing the Commissioner's Cup title series, the PBA's most popular franchise is about to be drenched with more liquid sadness.
As first reported by my good friend and occasional podcast partner Snow Badua of SPIN.ph, Barangay Ginebra import Justin Brownlee has tested positive for a banned substance usually found in a "recreational drug."
Source: Brownlee tests positive for banned substance again
The unfortunate news broke the stillness of a banal Sunday night. So instead of sleeping peacefully on the eve of another work week ahead, countless Pinoy hoops fans went to bed with anxiety over what the future holds.
In 2023, Brownlee tested positive for Carboxy-THC after the the Asian Games final in October that year. A first-time offender then, he was subsequently given a three-month provisionary suspension.
Unfortunately, a second offense, if indeed proven to be true, will potentially merit a sterner penalty from FIBA.
ARE PENALTIES TOUGHER THE SECOND TIME AROUND?
The fact that the alleged failed tests were not triggered by performance-enhancing drugs doesn't mean Brownlee is safe from a lengthy suspension.because it is reasonable to expect that FIBA could adjudicate this repeat offense based on the guilty act itself and not the substance allegedly used.
And that's the root of all our restlessness, the fear of the unknown. It's like having a colonoscopy test where the waiting can often be more tortuous than the actual diagnosis.
There's a reason why we naturalized Brownlee as a Filipino citizen: He's pretty damn good, an assessment that he has justified with flair and flourish at the international stage.
There's also a reason why the Ginebra faithful idolize him: JB embodies the "Never Say Die" spirit that epitomizes the resilience and strength of character of the Filipino people.
How long are we going to miss seeing him on the court?
For now, there are no answers, just speculations until the Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas (SBP) makes an announcement and a corresponding course of action, which will most likely begin with an appeal..
WAITING FOR CONFIRMATION.
While I am tempted to rail at FIBA for continuing to forbid the use of a "recreational drug" that is legal and widely used even in the NBA, a part of me also believes that we can't break laws, no matter how stupid and obsolete we think these are, if we know that such law exists.
Assuming the reported fail is verified, Brownlee deserves some blame on the account of personal responsibility.
Some finger-pointing needs to be directed at Ginebra as well for an apparent failure to police its ranks. The Gin Kings, however, have plausible deniability given that Justin is a grown man who doesn't need baby-sitting.
Collectively, we've forgiven Justin for his first flunked test. We will forgive him even if a second, third, fourth or how many other infractions may occur.
Because a lifetime of pardon is the least we can extend him for embracing us, our culture, and our basketball through the years.
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