PBA: Brownlee hopes to hold his emotions better after flare-up in Ginebra loss

Barangay Ginebra import Justin Brownlee during a game against Phoenix in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Araneta Coliseum. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Justin Brownlee, Barangay Ginebra’s well-loved resident import, lost his cool against Phoenix Super LPG.

It was a surprise to many as the 34-year-old forward has rarely allowed his emotions to get the better of himself—at least throughout his half-a-decade stint with the popular ball club.

Brownlee collided with Fuel Masters forward Chris Lalata on his way to the basket halfway through the final frame of the Gin Kings’ 101-93 loss, with the former taking exception to the contact.

“Well, I mean it was a foul. And then, after the play there was contact. I don’t really know, I just know I got hit in the face,” Brownlee explained.

Brownlee admitted he acted impulsively and expressed his remorse over the altercation, which resulted in technical fouls against both teams.

“Definitely unlike myself,” he said. “You know, those things happen. Things get out of control. You know, emotions. (Though) I can’t get a technical foul. I think that was a big point in the game right there.”

It was truly a turning point of the contest, as the Fuel Masters went on to tighten the noose on the lead on the way to dropping the Gin Kings to 2-2.

“Like I said, it’s just… you know as a person, nobody likes getting slapped in the face. Even though it wasn’t a hard slap or anything like that, but you know, just getting hit in the face. I think that just caused that reaction,” said Brownlee, who finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists.

“[I] just got to move forward and just you know control that, and hopefully it won’t happen again,” added the two-time Best Import.

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