By JAN CARLO ANOLIN
Justin Brownlee just finished answering queries from the press outside the dugout and was headed to the South Gate exit of the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.
It is just normal for fans to wait outside the gates where the games were held.
But after the Kings crushed the Bolts 94-72 in Game 4 of the PBA Governors’ Cup, Brownlee found himself surrounded by Ginebra faithful asking for selfies and autographs.
Brownlee did not hesitate and granted the fans’ requests.
The three-time Ginebra import, clad in post-game attire – white shirt, black shorts, a golden necklace with a yellow towel hanging on his left shoulders – was all smiles while signing shirts and props.
At one point, Brownlee voluntarily walked towards the left side of the hallway, where PBA vehicles were parked, stopped, and resumed in sharing light moments with the fans.
The crowd followed him until he reached the gates and the guards stationed that night started to intervene.
Right after Game 4, Brownlee sat down for a television interview after being named Best Player of the Game.
He mentioned the Ginebra fans at least thrice in the interview. And for every shout out Brownlee gives, the crowd follows through.
“First of all, I want to thank the crowd, you guys gives us great energy. Thank you.”
“We just gotta come out and keep fighting hard and get some energy from this great crowd.”
And when asked if there’s someone he wanted to greet aside from the Ginebra supporters, Brownlee again answered: “Always the fans. I don’t know – just the fans. I love you, guys. Thank you.”
Browlee could not find other reasons to be down with the support he had been receiving despite losing for the third straight time to Meralco’s Allen Durham in the Best Import race.
He, however, admitted that ‘it would’ve been great’ to win the elusive Best Import award.
Brownlee, who finished with 27 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, five steals, and four blocks, is on a mission to help the Kings get their third championship in the season-ending conference.