Followers must wait earlier than showering Justin Brownlee with much-deserved adoration. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ

As Barangay Ginebra seems for a stop-gap import to exchange Justin Brownlee, the group will depart it as much as its import to determine on whether or not to contest his flunked drug take a look at within the Asian Video games and have his different pattern examined.

If it have been as much as group governor Alfrancis Chua, although, that B-sample would stay sealed.

“For me, if … I contested your accusation [despite the] sturdy proof, the punishment may very well be way more extreme. That’s the best way I feel,” Chua mentioned on Tuesday afternoon in the course of the PBA’s (Philippine Basketball Affiliation) press convention for its 48th season.

Chua mentioned it might be moot to have the B-sample examined—an choice given to those that really feel their optimistic take a look at was a results of a lab mistake—as a result of testers would solely be dipping into the identical urine specimen. The danger of the identical optimistic result’s excessive and will result in a good stiffer penalty.

However Chua mentioned the choice inevitably is as much as Brownlee, who’s reportedly within the technique of gathering medical paperwork to point out that the optimistic take a look at was a results of remedy he was prescribed whereas he was coping with ankle issues that finally required surgical procedure. Brownlee reportedly has till Oct. 19 to determine on whether or not he’ll invoke his proper to have his B-sample examined.

“It’s as much as him. We’re behind Justin. That is too private. We additionally must respect what he desires,” Chua mentioned. “We’re giving him suggestions to assist him out.”

For now, Barangay Ginebra is transferring on to choices inside its management—like getting a brand new import for the group, which will probably be defending its Commissioner’s Cup crown and kicking off its bid towards Converge on Nov. 17.

Chua mentioned the choice to sit down Brownlee out was made so the group won’t danger the ire of the Worldwide Basketball Federation (Fiba) and the potential of its wins being voided by a Brownlee suspension.

“If you happen to ask me, if for instance we determine to play Justin, these investigating his case may misconstrue it, proper? It might simply make issues worse. And it’ll harm Ginebra much more,” he mentioned.

“For instance. we go 3-0 (within the Commissioner’s Cup), after which they rule him out ineligible. We danger forfeiting these (wins). So we’re simply going to flow.”

Talked to JB

Chua mentioned he has already talked to Brownlee concerning the resolution.

“I instructed Justin [we’ll be left] hanging [if we wait for the investigation to play out], and I hope you perceive we’re trying [for someone],” he mentioned, including that the substitute import will solely swimsuit up for so long as Brownlee’s concern is unresolved.

As soon as a decision is reached, Chua mentioned Brownlee will swimsuit up as quickly as he’s permitted to take action, to additionally enable the well-loved import to take pleasure in well-deserved adoration of the Filipino followers.

“The Philippines want to see him play once more within the PBA so [the fans] can applaud him for giving it his all for the nation,” Chua mentioned.

For the remainder of issues past the management of Ginebra and Brownlee, all group officers can do is sit and wait.

“We’re simply going to attend what [the International Testing Agency, or ITA] tells the [Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, or SBP]. As of now, we’re wait-and-see on what to do with Brownlee,” mentioned Chua, the San Miguel sports activities director who served because the group supervisor for the gold-winning Asian Recreation squad.

Brownlee was flagged by the ITA and has been placed on a provisional suspension for testing optimistic for Carboxy-THC, which is on the checklist of the World Anti-Doping Company’s banned substances. The nationwide federation has mentioned the substance could have entered Brownlee’s system by ache medicines for his ankle issues.

The utmost suspension that may very well be slapped on the 35-year-old Brownlee is 2 years, however the SBP and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) are hoping they might drag that size all the way down to a month at greatest by appeals. The POC has mentioned it’s prepared to take its enchantment as excessive because the Court docket of Arbitration for Sport.

“I simply carry on telling them to know that assessments like this occur. Simply because we undergo one thing like this, [it doesn’t mean] we’re going to start out pointing fingers,” Chua mentioned. “By [accepting whatever happens], we’ll develop into stronger.” INQ