While he cherishes both of his PBA Best Import awards, there’s one which Justin Brownlee actually holds so dear in his heart — and will always do.
“The Commissioner’s,” he said.
The American cager was referring to the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup, where he won his first award and eventually led Ginebra to the mountaintop.
Making that particular run sweeter was that he collected his third PBA title with the same ball club he helped end a years-long drought two years prior.
But for Brownlee, it wasn’t really the on-court success that made that plum special. It’s because he dedicated that to the late Sheryl Reyes.
The renowned sports agent was the one who brought the St. John’s product to the country in 2016.
Reyes passed away on May 11, 2019 after a long battle with cervical cancer.
“When I won that award, you know, unfortunately, Sheryl was going through some things, and she passed away,” said the four-time PBA champ.
“So, that will always be special for me because I dedicated it to her.”
Still, the most recent one, the 2022 Governors’ Cup Best Import title, means so much as well for the resident Gin Kings reinforcement.
That’s because it is his first in the season-ending conference. He had never won despite leading his team to the championship in 2016, 2017, and 2019.
He lost in all those instances to Meralco’s Allen Durham.
“This one is sweet as well, you know,” he said.
But his newest addition to his collection was just icing on the cake, since he’s happier that the Barangay beat Meralco, 95-84, in Game Four of the Finals.
Photo by PBA Images
“It’s great. Getting a win made it way sweeter, though,” said Brownlee, who was bestowed alongside Scottie Thompson as the latter won the BPC.
“I’m just happy we got the win. But definitely, winning the Best Import award was definitely the icing on the cake, too. And the win was great.”
—
All PBA games stream live on GigaPlay. Download it now on Android or IOS.
The Finals are also livestreamed on SMART Sports.
