Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Justin Brownlee wants to stay in the Philippines for the rest of his life


Since he arrived in the Philippines back in 2016, Justin Brownlee has spent only a few months back in his hometown of Tifton, Georgia. And by the looks of it, the 30-year-old plans on making the Philippines his permanent residence.

“Hindi na si Brownlee ang import dahil gagawin na natin siyang Pilipino,” disclosed San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua during Ginebra’s celebration held in Ortigas. “Sinabi ni Brownlee samin kaharap ang buong team, ‘Boss, I want to be naturalized’. Sinabi ko and sinabi din ni boss [Ramon S. Ang], if he wants to stay here for good he’s so welcome.

“Lahat ibibigay namin.”

Since 2016, the 6-foot-4 reinforcement has also served as an import for Mighty Sports Philippines in the Dubai International Basketball Championship and San Miguel Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League, all while waiting for another tour of duty with the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

“Brownlee loves the Philippines. He told me many times na kung matapos siya ng paglalaro, he wants to stay in the Philippines and he wants to be naturalized,” added Chua.

“To make the long story short, he loves the Philippines and he wants to stay here for good.”

For their part, San Miguel is willing to oblige its player’s request. And once he retires, SMC’s brass assured that there will be a job waiting for him.

But a Gilas call-up is out of the question, as the reinforcement that the Philippine Men’s National Basketball Team wants is a center.

“Gusto yata nila yung malalaki diba so it’s out of the question,” lamented Chua.

“Si Brownlee maliit pero any puso ni Brownlee, malaki pa sa Pilipinas. Siya gusto niya talaga magpa-naturalize hindi para maglaro. Gusto niya lang talaga.”

#ReadMore  Raymond Almazan enters new season rejuvenated: 'Happy ako sa Rain or Shine, coaching staff'
Written By




You May Also Like

Basketball

As Gilas Pilipinas braces for the grueling journey toward the 2027 FIBA World Cup, the potential return of 7-foot-3 center Kai Sotto looms large...

Basketball

Ginebra found its touch from beyond the arc early and shot down Phoenix, 119-112, to post back-to-back for the first time in the PBA...

Basketball

There was no such thing as homecourt edge as Ginebra handed Converge an 85-66 beating to go above .500 in the PBA Season 49...

Basketball

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is expecting Justin Brownlee to reinforce Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 in August. SBP executive director...

Basketball

Xyrus Torres nailed the haymaker to help NLEX kill the comeback hopes of Barangay Ginebra, 89-86, for its fourth straight win in the PBA...

Basketball

It’s challenging, to say the least, for those like Jayson David to stay as ready as they can be without any certainty as to...

Basketball

Jayson David immediately repaid the trust of Barangay Ginebra as the young winger starred in their 131-106 blowout of NorthPort to get back on...

Basketball

Ginebra paid dearly for coming in ‘unprepared’ against San Miguel. The Kings got beaten badly in the battle between traditional contenders in PBA Philippine...

Advertisement