The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) said Monday it has yet to hear from FIBA the status of embattled Gilas Pilipinas star Justin Brownlee.
The SBP has announced that Brownlee received an adverse analytical finding (AAF), fresh off his PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals defeat with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel against the TNT Tropang GIGA while competing with a dislocated right thumb last week.
“The SBP is aware that Gilas Pilipinas player Justin Brownlee has received notice of an adverse analytical finding,” SBP said in a statement. “Brownlee is currently dealing with the situation aided by his US-based lawyers.”
According to the US Anti-Doping Agency, an AFF is “a report from a WADA-accredited laboratory that identifies the presence of a prohibited substance and/or its metabolites or markers in a sample.” This is commonly referred to as a “positive test,” the agency noted.
However, the national federation clarified that it has yet to receive an official decision from FIBA.
“The SBP wishes to clarify that FIBA has not issued any official ruling as of date,” it said.
Brownlee’s latest competition in a FIBA tournament was during the final window of the 2025 Asia Cup Qualifiers, wherein they faced Taipei last February 20 and New Zealand on February 23.
In late 2023, Brownlee tested positive for Carboxy-THC, which is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This caused him to miss time with Barangay Ginebra during their Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup campaign.
Brownlee and Gilas now hold their breath as FIBA deliberates on the adverse analytical finding, which came only a little over four months before their 2025 Asia Cup participation in Saudi Arabia from August 5 to 17.
