Doubts were raised when Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone made a shocking move of including Justin Brownlee in the 12-man team that will compete in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

Now, Cone's faith had been rewarded.

After observing a self-imposed suspension for three months, the International Basketball Federation formally cleared Brownlee, allowing him to see action in the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers that will be held in Hong Kong on 22 February and Manila on 25 February.

In a statement released on Saturday morning, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced that Brownlee can now suit up for Gilas after the FIBA issued him a Notice of Charge after carrying the proposed three-month period of ineligibility in relation to the anti-doping violation that happened during the 19th Asian Games last year.

The 35-year-old Brownlee had played well with Gilas due to his long stint with Barangay Ginebra that made him a six-time champion and three-time Best Import in the Philippine Basketball Association.

But after leading Gilas to the historic gold medal in the Asian Games, the Swiss-based International Testing Agency announced that he flunked the drug test after being found with traces of a banned substance — cannabis — in his system.

Although cannabis is not a performance-enhancing drug, it is still part of the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of banned substances due to its addictive nature. SBP insiders said Bronwlee might have resorted to this alternative medicine in treating his injury that enabled him to play in the Asian Games.

The FIBA didn't release any verdict but the Kings, coached by Cone, opted to sit out Brownlee during their title defense of the PBA Commissioner's Cup.

Ginebra lost the crown after getting swept by San Miguel Beer in the best-of-five seminal series.

It, however, appears that the Kings made the right call.

"We're elated that the consequences FIBA issued does not prevent Justin Brownlee from playing for Gilas in the upcoming window," SBP president Al Panlilio said.