By: Will Imperial
Following a three-month suspension from FIBA due to a failed drug test, which initially kept him out of competitive basketball but was applied retroactively, Justin Brownlee has confirmed that he is fit and prepared to play for Gilas Pilipinas in the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
The naturalized player for Gilas Pilipinas mentioned that he has been working to stay in shape even while away from the country, anticipating that his services will be required as the team participates in two international tournaments for the year.
While Brownlee acknowledged the warmth he received upon his return to the Philippines, he is aware that there is much work to be done with less than two weeks remaining before the start of the qualifiers.
In addition to the Asia Cup qualifiers, the national squad is gearing up for the Olympic qualifying tournament in Riga, Latvia, scheduled from July 2–7.
“Just been trying to do whatever I can, at least on conditioning. I couldn’t really get on the court with a trainer or the team, so I’m just really trying to focus on running and just trying to stay in condition,” said Brownlee, who shared his sentiments during a brief press conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum during halftime of Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals between Magnolia and San Miguel on Friday night.
“Right now, I feel good, I feel rested. I feel healthy.”
Brownlee is set to lead the 12-man team assembled by coach Tim Cone, kicking off their competitions this year with the Asia Cup qualifiers on Feb. 22 in Hong Kong and Feb. 25 in Chinese Taipei at the Philsports Arena.
Making his first public appearance since returning to the country last Tuesday, Brownlee was in the US for almost four months after leading the Gilas Pilipinas to a historic basketball gold during the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Greeted with a warm welcome upon entering the Big Dome early in the first half of the game, the six-time PBA champion import of Barangay Ginebra, sat ringside alongside San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua and commissioner Willie Marcial.
Just before the start of the third quarter, Brownlee was honored with a symbolic basketball at midcourt by Marcial, Chua, San Miguel governor Robert Non, and Games and Amusement Board chairman Atty. Richard Clarin.
Brownlee was visibly emotional upon hearing the chants and applause from the capacity crowd at the venue.
“It feels good. I have been waiting for this moment for the past few months,” he said. “Happy to come back and be greeted with a lot of love. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a while, and I’m just happy to be back.”
