Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
It only needed a few plays from Justin Brownlee for the spectators to shower Alab Pilipinas the same love that Ginebra usually gets.
The iconic “Gi-ne-bra!” chant was heard outside the PBA when Brownlee led Alab Pilipinas in a 90-79 win over Westports Malaysia in the Aseasn Basketball League and head coach Jimmy Alapag was fine with it.
“I’m not complaining that’s for sure,” said Alapag Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Centre. “Again, our Filipino fans are the best fans in the world.”
Brownlee electrified the Ginebra faithful late in the third quarter when he had a hand in all eight points of Alab’s 8-0 run that gave them a 68-63 lead.
He first hit two straight three-pointers that started the chant then he dished to the trailing Renaldo Balkman for a quick flush to beat the third quarter buzzer that further intensified the chant.
Alapag said the chant may be of a different brand than the team’s Tanduay sponsor, but he appreciated the gesture nonetheless.
“The fact they came out here tonight to support Alab was great,” said Alapag. “The energy in the arena was great.”
Brownlee finished with a game-high 29 points with seven rebounds and eight assists as he led Alab to its second straight win and a 2-3 record overall.
“I’m just happy that after the first two losses here in the Philippines we can finally get a win,” said Alapag. “Hopefully we can keep building from here.”