PBA: Tim Cone, Ginebra still awaiting status of Justin Brownlee
FILE–Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone and Justin Brownlee. –SBP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Barangay Ginebra is taking a hands-off approach with regard to the status of its resident import Justin Brownlee.
“We have not talked about it a lot publicly because we are waiting,” Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone told reporters shortly after the season-opening revelries of the Philippine Basketball Association at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
“Once Fiba comes down on a decision, then I’m sure we’ll have some ready comments to make. But at this point, we don’t want anything to jeopardize whatever might happen at this point,” he went on.
Brownlee was provisionally suspended by the International Testing Agency for flunking a doping test conducted during the Hangzhou Asian Games.
The naturalized Filipino, who was the foremost weapon of Gilas Pilipinas during that campaign that eventually yielded a gold medal, was flagged for a banned substance under the World Anti-Doping Agency’s rules.
Justin Brownlee leads Gilas Pilipinas past Iran in the Asian Games basketball quarterfinals. –ASIAN GAMES POOL
Brownlee’s official sanctions can be as long as two years or as short as a couple of months, with the length contingent on proving that the Carboxy-THC—which is usually linked to cannabis use—was taken out of competition.
Barangay Ginebra is the defending champion of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup and has since tapped former Meralco import Tony Bishop Jr. as a stand-in import.
“I was informed that we were gonna get some kind of ruling just last week but nothing came down. So I’m not sure where it’s gonna go at this point,” Cone said of Brownlee’s status.
“We’re still waiting to hear. I’m not involved in the process of talking to the SBP or talking to the obviously Fiba or Wada. That’s not part of my role.”
“I feel terrible for Justin and terrible that we’re not able to bring him back this conference so he could defend his championship. Terrible for the players because they absolutely love Justin. But the bottom line is, at this point, we have to move forward from that,” Cone said.
