B y JONAS TERRADO
Justin Brownlee’s status as one of the greatest imports to ever play in the PBA continues to grow following Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s latest trip to the Governors’ Cup Finals.
A 47-point performance to close out NLEX in their semifinal series Wednesday, March 30 enabled Brownlee to lead Ginebra to its fourth finals appearance in the said tournament and fifth overall since making his debut in 2016.
Brownlee is also moving up the ladder in terms of the all-time scoring list among foreign players, recently passing former Tanduay and Manila Beer Francois Wise for sixth all-time with 4,336 career points.
Billy Ray Bates, arguably the greatest of all reinforcements who came to the country and is known as ‘Black Superman,’ is above Brownlee with 4,523 points during a fabled career for Crispa and Ginebra.
At this point, Ginebra coach Tim Cone believes Brownlee has almost equaled Bates as a generational player.
“I remember watching a game, going live and watching Billy Ray Bates play,” said Cone. “As a young kid, and that’s still indelible in my mind, watching and being able to say I was there with Billy Ray Bates.
“But this is the time you watch Justin Brownlee, you’ll be able to say, ‘Hey, I watched Justin Brownlee.’ Just like, ‘I watched Billy Ray Bates,’ and it’s the new generation.
“So, take advantage of it while you can. Come and see him. He’s not gonna be here forever, but you’re gonna be able to tell your family, your friends, your cousins, everybody, that you watched Justin Brownlee play, and that’s gonna be a special thing,” added Cone.
Ginebra has never lost a championship series with Brownlee, with three at the expense of Meralco in the 2016, 2017 and 2019 Governors’ Cup, and the other against San Miguel Beer in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup.
That perfect slate could continue in the upcoming finals, and another triumph may further solidify Brownlee’s status in the annals of the PBA.
There’s no question that there’s a different vibe whenever Brownlee comes in to don his No. 32 jersey for the league’s most popular ballclub.
But always diplomatic, Brownlee said the Gin Kings success since his arrival is not just him alone.
