Once again, Justin Brownlee is in hot water.

The career of the well-loved Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player is in limbo after testing positive for a banned substance shortly after leading Barangay Ginebra to a runner-up finish in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) made the announcement on Tuesday, revealing that the 36-year-old Brownlee tested positive for a prohibited substance.

The federation didn’t state when the random drug test was done, but DAILY TRIBUNE sources floated the idea that his samples were taken during his stint with Gilas Pilipinas in the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers last February.

The federation stressed that there’s no official word from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). Brownlee, however, is now consulting with his United States-based lawyers to determine his next course of action.

“The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is aware that Gilas Pilipinas player Justin Brownlee has received notice of an adverse analytical finding. Brownlee is currently dealing with the situation aided by his US-based lawyers,” the SBP said in a statement.

“The SBP wishes to clarify that FIBA has not issued any official ruling as of date.”

It’s not the first time for Brownlee to flunk a drug test.

Two years ago, Brownlee also tested positive for Carboxy-THC, a performance-enhancing substance that is linked to cannabis use.

Brownlee admitted to have taken the supplement but stressed that he used it to treat his bone spurs injury that enabled him to lead the Filipinos to their historic gold medal in the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games in China.

With that, FIBA suspended him for three months, prompting Tony Bishop to take his place as reinforcement of Barangay Ginebra in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Eventually, Brownlee was able to secure the green light to see action in the third window of the Asia Cup qualifiers last February until testing positive anew a month later.

Reports have it that Brownlee was caught using a “recreational drug” to treat an injury — and not a performance-enhancing drug.

With that, ranking cage officials are keeping their fingers crossed, hoping that he will not face a lengthy ban so that he will be available for the FIBA Asia Cup, which will be held from 5 to 17 August in Saudi Arabia.

Brownlee will definitely be needed for the Asia Cup as the Filipinos are looking to win the title they last held in 1986 under Ron Jacobs.

On the contrary, the Kings will not need him for the coming conference — the Philippine Cup — so he can sit out while waiting for the dislocated thumb that he sustained in their finals series against TNT Tropang Giga to completely heal.