From Ginebra to Gilas Pilipinas, Justin Brownlee will come through if it's short on time and the game is on the line, because that's what heroes do.
When it’s short on time and the game is on the line, Justin Brownlee knows what is needed to be done.
Since his historic introduction to Philippine basketball in 2016, the now-naturalized Filipino has come through time and time again not only for Barangay Ginebra, but for Gilas Pilipinas.
As Brownlee continues to ascend to mythical status, so too do his clutch moments, both locally and abroad.
Following his game-saving heroics against Saudi Arabia in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 for Gilas Pilipinas, here are just some of Brownlee’s epic on-court moments.
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2016 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals - The Shot
With Barangay Ginebra enduring an eight-year title drought, the Gin Kings found a savior on an import that was originally only on a monthly contract.
From replacement to legend, Brownlee’s story truly began with this shot over Meralco’s Allen Durham to win Game 6 and the series for Ginebra.
Season 49 Governors’ Cup quarterfinals - Twice the fun
The PBA story of Brownlee will be incomplete without Durham. While their rivalry is mostly one-sided in terms of victories, Brownlee won’t be pushed to make so many classic moments if AD wasn’t a worthy opponent.
Another such case was during last season’s Governors’ Cup, where Brownlee effectively ended Meralco’s title push with a sensational shot in Game 2 over Durham.
Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals - Game 7 OT
Ginebra ended up losing the Commissioner’s Cup Finals to TNT, but the Gin Kings were in play well into overtime thanks to Brownlee.
Needing a miracle in Game 7, Brownlee was up for the job.
FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualification to quarterfinals - Gilas magic
If he’s not winning the game outright, Brownlee is giving his team a chance.
Faced with a monumental upset against Saudi Arabia in the FIBA Asia Cup, Brownlee’s heroics from this game were a combination of all his clutch performances from the past.
Down six with 90 seconds left in regulation, Brownlee’s quiet takeover led to a loud final shot. Under duress, no problem.
Hangzhou Asian Games - Golden
In his first full year as the naturalized player for Gilas Pilipinas, Brownlee certainly stamped his mark with the national team.
Leading Gilas to the Asian Games gold medal, Brownlee willed victory after victory.
Against Iran in the quarterfinals, Brownlee dropped 36 points and the final go-ahead bucket to narrowly escape with the victory.
In the semifinals against host China, it was Gilas that was doing the comeback and JB hit two booming triples in the final minute to complete the stunning reversal.
FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament - Hammer time
By definition, Brownlee’s final field goal for Gilas against Latvia in the FIBA OQT wasn’t a clutch shot.
But considering the context, it belongs right up there among his best end-game shots.
Needing to upset the then world no. 6 team, Brownlee’s big three was the final dagger to what was the first win by the Philippines over a European team in 64 years.