Justin Brownlee fails anti-doping test says ITA

Justin Brownlee was said to be positive for a prohibited substance following Gilas' gold medal conquest in the Asian Games. PSC-POC Media Pool (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Justin Brownlee tested positive for a prohibited substance during the Asian Games according to the International Testing Agency.

The ITA said in a statement late Thursday night that a sample from the Gilas Pilipinas swingman was seen with traces of carboxy-THC, which is usually linked to marijuana.

Brownlee was tested along with Jordan's Sami Bzai on Saturday, the day after their teams collided for the men's 5x5 basketball gold won by Gilas.

In a separate statement, the ITA said that Bzai was tested positive for dehydrochloromethyl-testosterone metabolite.

Both players can appeal to have their B-samples tested as well.

"The matter will thereafter be referred to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport  for adjudication under the Olympic Council of Asia's Anti-Doping Rules," the ITA further said.

Brownlee is the second Team Philippines athlete who failed the Asian Games' anti-doping test, the other being cyclist Ariana Dormitorio.

Dormitorio was slapped with a provisional suspension, but she was also given the right to have her B-sample tested.

On the other hand, Brownlee became the second Gilas player to be tested positive for a prohibited substance in recent years.

In 2018, Kiefer Ravena failed an anti-doping test following his FIBA World Cup Qualifiers game against Japan and was suspended for 18 months until just before the 2019 World Cup.

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