Ginebra forward Justin Brownlee during Game 6 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. Brownlee’s upcoming Gilas Pilipinas stint in the Fiba Asia Cup is in limbo as he faces a possible second doping violation. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—After all the dust has settled at the end of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals’ Game 7, Ginebra import Justin Brownlee is left with a lot to think about.
For one, Brownlee needs to decide on the treatment for his right injured thumb after playing through the pain after he dislocated it in Game 3 of the best-of-seven series.
READ: Justin Brownlee faces possible second doping violation
“I just have to see how my hand is or my finger. Hopefully, it’s not too bad but it looks like I may have to get some surgery,” said Brownlee following their heartbreaking 87-83 overtime loss at the hands of the Tropang Giga at Araneta Coliseum on Friday.
“[I’ll] probably rest a little bit, then whenever an opportunity comes for Ginebra or Gilas, I’ll try to be ready.”
Another is a failed doping test, the news of which came out just a few days after Brownlee and the Gin Kings lost to TNT.
“SBP is aware that Gilas Pilipinas player Justin Brownlee has received notice of an adverse analytical finding. Brownlee is currently dealing with the situation aided by his US-based lawyers,” SBP said in a statement on Monday.
READ: PBA: Justin Brownlee’s heroics not enough save Ginebra this time
The Gilas naturalized swingman, who received his first doping ban two years ago after the Asian Games, has yet to make a statement on the matter.
Meanwhile, Brownlee said he is first focusing on being healthy for the next few months ahead of what is supposed to be his stint with Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba Asia Cup in August.
“I’m not sure about that [playing overseas] yet. It really depends on my thumb but right now I’m just focused on getting back healthy, Maybe, but I don’t know,” he said.
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The SBP, though, said that basketball”s world federation Fiba “has not issued any official ruling” following Brownlee’s failed test.
