November 03, 2024

Undefeated: Looking back at Justin Brownlee's 6-0 record vs San Miguel in PBA playoffs

Undefeated: Looking back at Justin Brownlee
Justin Brownlee and Barangay Ginebra have proven to be San Miguel’s kryptonite in the PBA playoffs, winning all six of their series matchups. | Art by Mitzi Solano/One Sports

Justin Brownlee is regarded as the greatest PBA import of this generation. No questions about that.

The San Miguel Beermen, on the other hand, have been the most successful PBA team over the past few years. There are also no questions about that.

But when pitted against one other, Barangay Ginebra have always had San Miguel’s number, going 6-0 so far in their playoff series...when they have JB.

Recently, the two sister teams met again, and the result? Another victory for Justin Noypi and Ginebra.

Here’s a look back at all the playoff matchups between Brownlee and Ginebra against San Miguel.


2016 Govenors’ Cup semifinals—Ginebra def. San Miguel, 3-2

In Ginebra’s first championship run with Justin Brownlee, the Gin Kings had to overcome Beermen in the 2016 Governors’ Cup semifinals, which went the distance.

With the series tied at 2-all, Brownlee and Ginebra dominated San Miguel in Game 5, 117-92, to make their first finals appearance since 2013.

As we all know now, Brownlee would steer Ginebra to its first championship after a miraculous buzzer-beater over Meralco Bolts' Allen Durham in Game 6 of the finals.


2017 Govenors’ Cup quarterfinals—Ginebra def. San Miguel, 1-0

The two sister teams would face again in the following year’s Governors’ Cup, when Brownlee would once again eliminate San Miguel, this time in the quarterfinals.

With a twice-to-beat advantage, the Gin Kings made quick work of the Beermen for a 104-84 victory. Brownlee finished with 37 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks.

Ginebra would go on to reach the finals again and defeat the Meralco Bolts in seven games to defend their Govenors’ Cup crown.


2018 Commissioner’s Cup finals—Ginebra def. San Miguel, 4-2

A different conference but still, the same result. 

Brownlee and Ginebra reached the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup finals, where they faced San Miguel, led by Renaldo Balkman.

In the pivotal Game 6, the Gin Kings once again dominated the Beermen for a 93-77 victory to win the Commissioners’ Cup.

Brownlee came up big as usual with a huge double-double of 31 points and 19 rebounds, with seven assists.


2019 Governors’ Cup quarterfinals—Ginebra def. San Miguel, 1-0

Just a year later, Ginebra and San Miguel would once again face in the 2019 Governors’ Cup quarterfinals. 

But just like in 2017, BGSM would eliminate SMB, 100-97, closing the door on the Beermen's grand slam hopes.

Brownlee finished with 41 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals, while then-new addition Stanley Pringle contributed 24 and five assists in the win.


2023 Governors’ Cup semifinals—Ginebra def. San Miguel, 3-0

Nothing could seemingly stop the Gin Kings back in the 2023 Governors’ Cup as they lambasted the Beermen for a quick sweep in the semifinals.

In Game 3, Ginebra came back from an 18-point deficit before Brownlee sealed the series with a clutch mid-range jumper and a nifty dish to Christian Standhardinger for an 87-85 victory.

Despite struggling for most of the game, the Ginebra import still finished with 22 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and two steals.


2024 Governors’ Cup semifinals—Ginebra def. San Miguel, 4-2

This brings us to Ginebra’s most recent playoff series victory over San Miguel during the 2024 Governors’ Cup semifinals.

It was a tightly-contested series. But once again, the Gin Kings came out on top in Game 6 behind the strong play of Brownlee and Maverick Ahanmisi to advance to the finals.

Ginebra will face the TNT Tropang Giga in the finals, where Brownlee will have a shot at redemption against fellow import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

[NEXT: TNT, Ginebra set for PBA Governors' Cup Finals rematch | PBA schedule]

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