Justin Brownlee arrives in Manila for Gilas' FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers campaign

Justin Brownlee has arrived in Manila just in time to join Gilas Pilipinas in its buildup for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers set for later this month.

The 35-year-old naturalized cager did so after securing clearance from FIBA following an anti-doping violation he committed during the 19th Asian Games in China. The international basketball body issued a Notice of Charge as Brownlee was able to serve his provisional suspension starting November 9, 2023.

San Miguel sports director Alfrancis Chua posted a photo of Brownlee shortly after he landed in the country.

During the course of the three-month suspension, Brownlee didn't see action in any basketball competition, including Barangay Ginebra's title retention drive in the PBA Commissioner's Cup. The Gin Kings eventually fell to sister team San Miguel in the semifinals, 3-0, to bow out of the conference.

But with the FIBA go-signal, Brownlee can now suit up once again for the national team.

They will take on Hong Kong on the road on February 22 before closing the first window on February 25 against Chinese Taipei at the PhilSports Arena.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News