By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is waiting for the final verdict of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) regarding Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Justin Brownlee’s doping issue.

According to SBP president Al Panlilio, Brownlee has already submitted all documents needed to prove that his supposed doping violation during the 19th Asian Games was related to the medications he took due to injury.

“It’s finally reached FIBA, sometime early or mid-December,” Panlilio said in an interview with Noli Eala’s “Power and Play” sports program.

“We’re just waiting for FIBA’s final decision,” he said.

“I think there was just some documentation and replies. Justin had to do that. He submitted it already to FIBA because the deadline was last Monday, January 8,” he added.

The International Testing Association flagged Brownlee after a urine sample collected from him a day after their historic gold medal win against Jordan tested positive for a banned substance.

Panlilio also said that Brownlee’s decision not to play for the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in the 2023-2024 PBA Commissioner’s Cup was a good one to avoid any possible complications.

With Brownlee unavailable, the defending champion Gin Kings have tapped the services of former Meralco Bolts forward Tony Bishop, Jr. to be their import for the season-opening conference.

“I think he [Brownlee] started to serve time [for his possible suspension] from the time the testing was done, sometime on October 7 or 8. That’s been counted already as time served,” Panlilio said.

“We did guide Justin, ‘Don’t play. Stop playing for now,’ and whatever decision comes out, your time served started October 7,” he added.

Panlilio continued that if FIBA slaps Brownlee with a three-month ban, he can already return to the Gin Kings for the quarterfinals round of the Commissioner’s Cup./ASC, WDJ