What a journey it has been for JB: a replacement turned resident import, and now part of the Gilas core.
Justin Brownlee arrived one day before the first tune-up game of Gilas Pilipinas against Estonia. During the third quarter, after getting a stop on one end, the naturalized Filipino ran to the opposite side for a possible fastbreak basket.
However, he felt a familiar pain in his leg so he aborted his takeoff and was later subbed out.
“Well, it wouldn’t be Justin if that didn’t happen,” said Ginebra head coach and Gilas assistant Tim Cone, in jest.
The two have worked together since 2016 and through the years they’ve won six PBA championships and a Southeast Asian Games gold medal together. The coach knows the player well and he understands that while he might suffer cramps in the first game, what you get from him after will make it all worth it.
Brownlee’s first game in the Philippines was not too different. It was against Alaska where he dropped 31 points in 30 minutes but Ginebra lost 109-100 in overtime as their import could not play the end-game minutes due to cramps.
“I was only expected to be in the Philippines for one month but it’s been seven years and counting,” said Brownlee, who only came in as a replacement for Paul Harris who suffered a hand injury in their first game of the conference.
Everyone knows what happened that conference. Brownlee hit what would be one of the most popular shots in PBA history to end Ginebra’s eight-year title drought. This was when Brownlee knew for sure he belonged.
Little did he know that he had someone behind him who was already looking far ahead.
“The idea of naturalization came from Sheryl Reyes, my agent, God rest her soul,” he said. “She just said since I was playing well and the fans loved me, that I should consider the idea of naturalization. I never thought it could happen because the last couple of players to be naturalized were big men who were in the NBA. To be honest, I didn’t think I was good enough to become a naturalized player. But I guess the way basketball has changed and I do pride myself on getting better and better every day allowed me to be naturalized Filipino.”
For Brownlee, special appreciation goes out to the person who believed first.
“If it wasn’t for Sheryl, I don’t think would get here.”
Brownlee got a taste of what it’s like to play for Gilas Pilipinas in the final window of the FIBA World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers and the SEA Games as well. For him, the most important part is the culture that he now represents.
“The Filipino people love basketball. They appreciate it and they understand it so if you go out and play hard, they see it,” he said. “Playing in the Philippines is unlike anywhere else in the world. I’m happy to be part of the team. I’m happy to be accepted.”
Now, he’s hard at work with the rest of the pool in preparation for the big dance. Brownlee is technically one of three choices to fill one spot alongside Ange Kouame and Jordan Clarkson, but the odds have tilted as the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year has made a definitive commitment to the national team for the FIBA World Cup. Justin Noypi, meanwhile, is pegged to represent the flag in the Asian Games according to Gilas coach Chot Reyes.
The grind, however, stays the same for Brownlee.
“The main focus for me is the team’s success. I would do anything I can to help the team succeed, even if I have to be a ball boy. If I need to rebound for the guys, whatever I need to do, I’m doing it. I want the team to get better. I want all my teammates to get better,” Brownlee stated.
“It’s not about one person. It’s about the team and whichever 12-man lineup is put out for the World Cup, I’m going to support it with all I’ve got.”
Whatever stage it would be, expect nothing but Brownlee’s absolute best.
“World Cups, Olympics, the NBA. That’s what you dream about. Those are the highest levels that you dream about playing,” Brownlee closed.
“I want to represent the basketball culture of the Philippines because I thank God every day that the Filipino people accepted me. The Philippines saved my life, saved my basketball career. I’ve never been this happy.”
(GM)