WADA overdue for updating

There is still no word from FIBA whether or not Gilas naturalized player Justin Brownlee will be suspended after testing positive for a banned non-performance-enhancing substance following a game against New Zealand in the third FIBA Asia qualifying window in Auckland last February. The substance is presumed to be cannabis which players take for medicinal purposes in the NBA without sanction. The NBA treats cannabis like alcohol. If it is consumed abusively like alcohol, the NBA will crack down. But if not, the NBA tolerates its use.

FIBA adheres to World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines which need to be updated, given changing global circumstances. The NBA banned cannabis use until 2023 as it kept up with the times. Brownlee has received notice of his test result but SBP is still awaiting FIBA word on a sanction, if ever. “None yet,” said SBP president Al Panlilio yesterday.

Brownlee, meanwhile, underwent hand surgery at St. Luke’s Quezon City last Tuesday. Panlilio said he should be ready to play when Gilas returns to action at the FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah on Aug. 5-17. Gilas team manager/assistant coach Richard del Rosario said Brownlee’s operation went well. “Recovery time is about two months so he’ll be ready for the FIBA Asia Cup,” he said. Dr. Randy Molo, who is supervising Brownlee’s treatment, said the timetable for Brownlee to come back is July 8. The PBA Philippine Cup will end on July 27 at the latest and that gives Brownlee more than two weeks to prepare for training camp. If FIBA slaps a three to four-month suspension on Brownlee, he won’t be allowed to even step on a basketball court during that period. But that would be while he’s recovering from surgery.

The Philippines was drawn to Group D with Chinese-Taipei, New Zealand and Iraq for the FIBA Asia Cup. “It’s a tough group but one thing good about it is our familiarity with New Zealand and Chinese-Taipei so we won’t be coming in blind,” said Del Rosario. “Iraq will be a challenge because of their physicality.”

The first placer of Group D will join the Groups A, B and C topnotchers straight into the quarterfinals. Second and third placers will battle in knockout cross-pairing games to decide the four other quarterfinalists. Group D will be paired against Group C which is composed of China, Jordan, India and Saudi Arabia.

Gilas assistant coach Sean Chambers said the draw opens the door for a comeback. “It gives us an opportunity to make up for the losses to New Zealand and Chinese-Taipei during the last qualifying window,” he said. “Group D is a tough draw with the inclusion of Iraq but I feel comfortable knowing we will be very familiar with the style of play of Chinese-Taipei and New Zealand as they will be with ours. Hopefully, Justin will be ready to go.”