SBP Awaits FIBA’s Decision After Brownlee’s Test Result

IS HISTORY repeating itself? The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is yet to have answers, clarifying in a statement that Justin Brownlee’s case has yet to be determined by FIBA. 

On Sunday, renowned sports journalist Snow Badua broke the surprising news that Barangay Ginebra’s star import and Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player tested positive again and could face another suspension. 

Following a devastating loss in Game 7 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals to the TNT Tropang Giga, Brownlee is once again under scrutiny after receiving an adverse analytical finding (AAF).

Another “Positive” Test

On Monday, SBP made an effort to address the rumors as soon as possible, confirming that the 36-year-old was issued an AAF for the alleged “positive” test.

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,” which is commonly referred to as a “positive test.”

“The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is aware that Gilas Pilipinas player Justin Brownlee has received notice of an adverse analytical finding,” SBP opened the statement posted on Facebook.

Brownlee previously tested positive for ‘Carboxy-THC’ in a random drug test conducted following Gilas Pilipinas’ gold medal triumph over Jordan in the Asian Games basketball final on October 6, 2023. 

As a result of the violation, he was suspended for three months and missed a significant amount of basketball duties with his mother team in the PBA, including the Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup.

Hold Your Breath

While the SBP has yet to give any information on the case, the national basketball organization informed the public that Brownlee’s legal team is working to resolve the situation.

“Brownlee is currently dealing with the situation aided by his US-based lawyers. The SBP wishes to clarify that FIBA has not issued any official ruling as of date,” it went on to say, clarifying his status moving forward.

Brownlee and Gilas are now playing the waiting game while FIBA deliberates on the AAF case, which comes just over four months before their 2025 Asia Cup participation in Saudi Arabia from August 5 to 17. 

The Gilas Pilipinas member last competed in a FIBA tournament during the final window of the 2025 Asia Cup Qualifiers, where they met Taipei on February 20 and New Zealand on February 23.