Justin Brownlee FIBA PHOTO© Provided by The Manila Times

MANILA, Philippines — Justin Brownlee is expected to be in razor-sharp form when he reinforces Barangay Ginebra anew as the PBA Season 49 kicks off in the middle of August with the Governors’ Cup.

The 36-year-old Brownlee has played non-stop basketball since being given the green light by FIBA in February following an anti-doping rule violation weeks after leading the Philippine team to the country’s first Asian Games men’s basketball gold since 1969.

Gilas captured the gold in October after beating Jordan in the battle for gold.

Brownlee was kept in the freezer in relation to his doping case in the post-Asian Games. But all that was settled when FIBA, the world’s governing basketball body, gave his clearance in early February.

The 6-foot-4 Brownlee donned the Gilas jersey late that month where he went on to average 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, leading the Philippines to a pair of lopsided wins against Hong Kong and Taiwan in the kickoff window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.

The former St. John’s standout then took his act to the Indonesian Basketball League, where he led local the squad Pelita Jaya to the playoffs.

He left the team briefly and played again for Gilas, helping the Philippines reach the semifinal round of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament after scoring a massive 89-80 upset over host squad and world no. 6 team Latvia during the group stage.

Gilas though failed to win the OQT, thus falling short of its aim at punching an Olympic ticket to Paris, France.

Now, Gilas coach Tim Cone said the do-it-all Brownlee is back in Indonesia where the well-loved Philippine naturalized player hopes to lead Pelita Jaya to the IBL crown.

From there, he’s expected to return to the country sometime in the second week of August to reinforce Barangay Ginebra.

“Justin’s last game (in the IBL) is around August 4. Then he will come back to us and start working with us,” Cone said, referring to Brownlee’s highly-anticipated return to PBA action.

Brownlee was supposed to play for Ginebra in last season’s Commissioner’s Cup, but his failed anti-doping case from the Asiad at that time, prompted Ginebra management to bring in former Meralco import Tony Bishop, instead.

“We need him (Brownlee) back as soon as possible because we have new guys,” Cone shared, referring to recent first round rookie pick RJ Abarrientos, as well as Stephen Holt and Isaac Go, whom the Gin Kings acquired in a trade with the Terrafirma Dyip last weekend.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to teach the new guys the system before he comes back, and then mix them with Justin,” he added.

Brownlee has led Ginebra to six PBA titles since he first came into the scene in 2016. He was also named Best Import thrice in his PBA career.

Ginebra begins its Governors’ Cup preparation on Thursday, July 18.