Ginebra import Justin Brownlee reacts during a Christmas Day game against Magnolia in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Spending the holidays far away from home is certainly not for the faint of heart but journeymen Justin Brownlee and Akil Mitchell–whose basketball careers have taken them to various parts of the world–have learned to cope with the predicament.
Brownlee may have found a new home here after being tapped by Barangay Ginebra as its import in 2016 and later became a naturalized Filipino. However, not being with his family in the United States during the Christmas season hits different.
“It’s hard to compromise for the holidays. You get that feeling when you see stuff on social media or your family’s messaging you, calling you from back home and everybody’s together,” Brownlee admitted in an interview Inquirer Sports on Wednesday night.
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“That was hard to deal with but for sure, having a game on Christmas made me deal with it a whole lot better. I was around my team, in a family-type of atmosphere,” added Brownlee, who also had stints in Mexico, Italy, France, Lebanon, UAE and Indonesia after going undrafted in the 2011 NBA Draft.
It also helped that Brownlee and the Gin Kings celebrated Christmas with a thrilling victory over rivals Magnolia Hotshots on a buzzer-beating triple by Scottie Thompson.
And while it was Thompson, who hit the game-winner, Brownlee led Ginebra with a game-high 28 points on top of seven rebounds and five assists with one steal and a block to boot in 45 minutes of action.
“It’s tough, you probably want to go to a restaurant just to feel that feeling you had back home with home-cooked meals or some things like that but I don’t think anything can substitute the feeling, completely, of being with your family on Christmas Day,” he said.
Fortunately for Brownlee, Ginebra fans were there to give him some love on Christmas.
“The feeling never gets old and it makes it way better on Christmas when you’re being greeted, being given gifts by fans and it’s really a blessing to be able to make the fans happy.”
Much like Brownlee, Mitchell also had to make do with spending the special occasion without his family.
Being away from his family, however, isn’t new to the Meralco Bolts import having started his professional career in France a year after going undrafted in 2014.
READ: PBA: Ginebra rallies, beats Magnolia on Scottie Thompson winner
The Charlotte, North Carolina native also played in Australia, Italy, Israel, Turkey, Germany, Greece, Puerto Rico and China before deciding to strut his stuff in the PBA.
What’s new to him, though, was seeing the Bolts take a beating at the hands of the Converge FiberXers.
“Well, we got blown out today. That’s different for me,” said Mitchell in jest after Meralco got whipped, 110-94, on Wednesday despite his 29 points and 18 rebounds.
“But really, it’s just love. The fans were enjoying the game more than we were. It’s almost like a present for them to see us play. That must’ve been the loudest and most-packed game we had in the PBA all year.”
Mitchell, though, didn’t have to spend Christmas alone.
“I have my girlfriend here with me. She comes with me which makes me feel at home a bit better but I remember in the first few years of my career, it was pretty tough,” he said. “Back in college, you’re used to at least spending some time or being close to home for Christmas but in the next few years, you’re working.”
“It’s different to prepare your mind and work on Christmas Day but my mindset had to change where I know I’m blessed to do this. I get to play basketball for a living. Like I said, the fans come out here, it’s a blessing and they treat me like I’m the gift.”