Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Justin Brownlee has finally been cleared to return to basketball just in time for the February window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas made the announcement on Saturday, Feb. 3, noting that FIBA has issued a Notice of Charge to Brownlee carrying a proposed three-month Period of Ineligibility in relation to the anti-doping rule violation that occurred during the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Despite the ruling, SBP president Al Panlilio confirmed that Brownlee would be available to join the Nationals when they play Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei on Feb. 22 and 25, respectively.

"We're elated that the consequences FIBA issued does not prevent Justin Brownlee from playing for Gilas in the upcoming window," said Panlilio. "Having him as our naturalized player alongside some of our locals that he has already played with before will be beneficial to the squad."

Brownlee has not seen action in any leagues for more than three months now or since he was flagged by the International Testing Agency for banned substance following the Nationals’ gold-medal conquest in the continental showpiece.

The 35-year-old forward even sat out the 2023-’24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup where he plays as a resident import for Barangay Ginebra as part of a provisional suspension which began Nov. 9.

Brownlee not playing a game since the gold-medal winning effort against Jordan hastened his return to the national team along with the fact that the banned substance he used was taken out-of-competition and unrelated to performance enhancement.

“Justin Brownlee is a big part of the team and the program moving forward and having him means we can hit the ground running,” said Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone.

"He's already played with most of the guys so chemistry will already be there. He can now ramp up his conditioning and be ready to go once his suspension is lifted,” he added.

With Brownlee’s clearance, he is primed to lead the core players of the Asiad winning team that also included teammates Scottie Thompson and Jamie Malonzo. He also gets to reunite with Gilas teammates Calvin Oftana, June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, and Chris Newsome.

Overseas players Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Carl Tamayo, Kai Sotto, and collegiate star Kevin Quiambao complete the list of 12.

“I can't wait to play basketball again and put all of this behind me," said Brownlee. "It's always been an honor to represent the Philippines and I'm happy to be given the chance again."