LOOKS like Justin Brownlee sitting out for club bodes well for country.
Barangay Ginebra's decision not to field its resident import in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup has given him enough to serve the minimum suspension to be slapped on him for testing positive for a banned substance during the last Asian Games.
READ Cone hopeful Brownlee can play for Gilas in Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas hopes to hear from Fiba this week regarding Brownlee’s possible suspension, which SBP executive director Erika Dy is hoping would only be the minimum three-month period.
“We’re hoping he gets the lowest level of suspension, which is a three-month period,” Dy said on Tuesday during the press conference for the Manila Hustle 3x3 Season 2 where Gilas Pilipinas Women are among the teams.
The new SBP official said the ban will be retroactive, meaning the time Brownlee spent sidelined since the announcement of his positive test already counts to the suspension even before the official ruling.
“It’s called ‘provisional or voluntary suspension,’” Dy said. “And that three-month period would end on Feb. 8. So that’s just in time for the first window.”
That gives the naturalized Filipino enough to join Gilas Pilipinas as the national team plays Hong Kong on February 22 and Chinese Taipei on February 25.
While Brownlee could play, AJ Edu is likely out.
Dy said it’s up to Gilas coach Tim Cone to stick with the remaining 11 players on his pool or add a temporary replacement for the injured Edu.
“Coach Tim has to make a decision whether we are just going to go with 11 players or he fills that in with a replacement player for this window,” Dy said.
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