The SBP confirms that Justin Brownlee will play for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup amid suspension drama

The Philippines men’s national basketball team is set to return to action soon as they prepare for the upcoming 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, next month.

Gilas Pilipinas are currently deep in training for the continental competition, and star naturalized player Justin Brownlee has been pictured in practice as he aims to reach 100 percent fitness before suiting up for the national team. This is great news for all Gilas fans, considering that he served a suspension after testing positive for Carboxy-THC, a prohibited substance linked to cannabis use, following the team’s historic run in the 2023 Asian Games.

Brownlee was suspended for three months and returned to action in February 2024 after being cleared by FIBA authorities. However, he also dealt with a few injury issues, only recently recovering after dislocating his right thumb during the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup Finals against the TNT Tropang Giga.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) confirmed in a statement that Brownlee will see action at the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

“Justin Brownlee will be suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 after FIBA concluded that the presence of Carboxy-THC in Brownlee’s sample from November 21, 2024, does not constitute an anti-doping rule violation, considering the approved therapeutic use exemption,” a statement from SBP read.

JB IS HERE 👀🇵🇭

Justin Brownlee is currently training with Gilas Pilipinas as they continue their preparations for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia this August.#GilasPilipinas

📸 Instagram/mendozapaul pic.twitter.com/rVimjGBILx

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) July 14, 2025

“He has fully recovered from the thumb injury he suffered during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals and has full range of motion already, but is still in the process of getting back into game shape,” the statement added.

Gilas has been drawn into Group D of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup alongside Iraq, New Zealand, and Chinese Taipei. They will need Brownlee to be in top form, as he is their best player and averaged 21.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.7 steals per game in the Asia Cup Qualifiers, playing a key role in Gilas’ eventual 4–2 win-loss record.

Gilas head coach Tim Cone will test Brownlee’s fitness when they face the Macau Bears in a tune-up game on July 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum as part of their preparations for the FIBA Asia Cup.

They will open their campaign against Chinese Taipei on August 6 and are expected to depart for Jeddah at the end of July or in the first week of August.

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