In process of naturalization, Brownlee hopes to inspire Filipinos on and off court

FILE – Ginebra forward Justin Brownlee goes for a shot against Columbian Dyip in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

For Justin Brownlee, being in the Philippines isn’t just about basketball.

Barangay Ginebra’s charismatic import had said he wanted to become a naturalized Filipino citizen and it only took a couple of weeks for a House bill to be filed endorsing his naturalization.

With Congress already acting on behalf of his wish, Brownlee said he’ll stay true to his words and be part of the Filipino community who has embraced him since he arrived in 2016.

“I will just try to continue being a great person to the community here and the people, just trying to keep inspiring,” said Brownlee after Ginebra trumped Alaska, 109-101, in the PBA Governors’ Cup Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“I just love it here and if I do become naturalized it will be a great blessing not only to my basketball career. The way people embrace me here, it’s a very special thing to me.”

Brownlee said he learned about the development when he went back to the United States for a short vacation in between the two import conferences.

“When I first heard about it, I was speechless, it’s just an incredible feeling,” said Brownlee, who had 45 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists against the Aces.

“The way people embrace me here, not only basketball fans, but people who probably don’t know too much about basketball come up to me and they tell me that I inspire them in some kind of way is humbling.”