Waiting game on Brownlee continues

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THE waiting game on Justin Brownlee continues.

Coach Tim Cone of defending champion Ginebra said there’s still no official verdict on Brownlee after the beloved resident Kings import failed a doping test during the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China where the naturalized star played the hero’s role in Gilas Pilipinas’ golden triumph.

“I haven’t spoken to him. We were hoping he would come in last Saturday, but something happened to his flight, for him personally,” Cone said last Sunday after the PBA 48th season’s opening rites. “I’m not sure what it was but he didn’t make the flight. But we are still waiting to hear (from him).

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“I’m not involved in the process of talking to the SBP, obviously FIBA or WADA, whoever we have to talk to. That’s not part of my role. I really don’t know what’s going on,” he added.

The 6-foot-5 Brownlee, 35, was suspected to have gotten the banned substance Carboxy-THC, which is linked to Cannabis use, during his medication and recovery after undergoing surgery to remove bone spurs on his foot before his Asiad stint.

The length of Brownlee’s suspension, however, has yet to be announced, prompting Ginebra to sign up former Meralco reinforcement Tony Bishop for the season-opening Commissioner’s Cup.

Cone is still clueless on the coming ruling, adding they are taking a hands-off approach.

“I was informed that we are going to get some kind of ruling last week, and nothing came down,” Cone said. “I’m not sure where it’s going to go at this point.

“Once the FIBA comes down with a decision, then I’m sure we’ll have some ready comments to make. But at this point, we don’t want anything to jeopardize whatever might happen.”

Cone, who tested positive for COVID-19 after returning to the Philippines from a vacation in the United States last week, said his focus now is to whip the Kings into one cohesive unit anew in their title defense.

“I’ve got to keep working with Ginebra and doing my best with them. I feel terrible for Justin, and I feel terrible that we’ve not been able to bring him back this conference so that we can defend this championship,” he said. “I feel terrible for the players because they absolutely love Justin.

“But (the) bottom line is we have to move forward, and I was tasked to look for another import once we heard this might happen.”

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