Justin Brownlee eager to help Ginebra get back on top

MANILA, Philippines—Justin Brownlee is a winner in every sense of the word.

He came in as Barangay Ginebra’s replacement import for Paul Harris in the 2016 Governors’ Cup and paid instant dividends, leading the team to that conference’s title.

Since his arrival, Brownlee has led the Gin Kings to two more championships—the 2017 Governors’ and 2018 Commissioner’s Cup—but his title hunt with Ginebra hit a snag in the 2017-18 season’s third conference.

Brownlee and the Gin Kings were gunning for a third straight Governors’ Cup but lost to sister team Star in the finals and that is enough motivation for them to get back to the top.

READ: Tim Cone, Ginebra ‘motivated as ever’ to end PBA season with title

“I’m super motivated especially losing last years’ Governors’ Cup and also losing in the previous two cups this year,” said Brownlee after Ginebra’s 100-90 loss against the Changwon LG Sakers in a tune-up game Friday at Upper Deck Sports Center.

“There’s extra motivation to get back on top.”

Brownlee has been Ginebra’s reliable import for the past years and he was even selected to be the team’s foreign player for the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup, where he was the smallest of all the reinforcements.

Teams are allowed to field an import as tall as 6’10” but Brownlee, who’s listed at 6’5”, ended up as the league’s top scorer at 35.9 points with 13.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 2.6 steals, and 2.2 blocks.

His production in the second conference also made him a viable option for the Best Import award but TNT’s Terrence Jones ultimately won the plum.

Brownlee added that he and the rest of the Gin Kings are adamant to reach the top of the league once more after a failed attempt at a Governors’ Cup three-peat and a playoff exit in the Commissioner’s Cup.

“We remember how good it feels so we’re really chasing that feeling,” said Brownlee.