Justin Brownlee. Photo from Alfrancis Chua’s Instagram
MANILA, Philippines—Justin Brownlee is back in the Philippines.
San Miguel sports director Alfrancis Chua on Tuesday posted a picture with Brownlee at SMC headquarters in Ortigas.
Brownlee is rejoining Gilas Pilipinas after serving a three-month suspension due to a failed doping test shortly following the Philippines’ gold medal win at the Hangzhou Asian Games last October.
The suspension forced Brownlee to miss the Gin Kings’ campaign in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup where they got swept by the San Miguel Beermen in the semifinals.
Gilas Pilipinas’ Justin Brownlee at the Asian Games.
His return, however, comes just in time for Gilas’ buildup for the first window of the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers set later this month.
Brownlee was part of Gilas’ 12-man pool unveiled late last month and picked by Tim Cone, who was recently re-appointed as the national team’s head coach, this time on a permanent basis.
Joining the naturalized Brownlee in the team are his fellow PBA stars Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo, CJ Perez, June Mar Fajardo, Calvin Oftana and Chris Newsome.
Japanese B.League talents Kai Sotto, AJ Edu and Dwight Ramos have also been included as well as young guns Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao, who is the reigning UAAP MVP.