Finally.
In a conference where he is undersized compared to the other reinforcements, Justin Brownlee stood tall and bagged the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Best Import award.
This is the first time that Brownlee has won the plum in the four times he has played in the league. He had chances to win in the last two Governor’s Cups, but got bested by Meralco Bolts’ Allen Durham.
The versatile 6-foot-5 forward beat San Miguel Beermen’s Renaldo Balkman, Alaska Aces’ Diamon Simpson, and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ Reggie Johnson for the individual honor.
Brownlee is actually a replacement import of the Barangay in this mid-season joust. He took the import reins from the 6-foot-10 Charles Garcia, who seemingly underperformed.
With Brownlee back in the fold, the Gin Kings were able to turn their fortunes around. From a precarious 1-5 record, Ginebra won five straight games to make it into the quarterfinals.
The Barangay were the hottest team to enter the semifinals, as they’d had a seven-game winning streak – it even extended to eight after winning the semis’ opener versus Rain or Shine.
Their streak ended in the semis’ Game Two, but they bounced back in Game Three thanks to Brownlee, who torched the Elasto Painters with 44 big points – two points shy of his PBA career-high.
From there, Ginebra finished off Rain or Shine to barge into the Finals. All in all, the Gin Kings entered the championship round having lost just a single game in their 11 assignments.
After the semis, the 30-year-old Brownlee averaged 28.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 6.6 assists.
Brownlee’s scoring exploits were in full display again in Game One of the Finals, as he scored 42 points to power the Barangay past defending champions San Miguel Beermen, 127-99.
Now, as his coronation has ended, the two-time Governor’s Cup champion is looking to help the Barangay equalize the series to two games apiece in Game Four at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
