It was a very special Tuesday night for Justin Brownlee as he achieved a new PBA career-high in the presence of someone very dear to him.
In attendance as part of the pro-Ginebra crowd at the SMART Araneta Coliseum was his twin sister Justina, who’s visiting the Philippines for the first time.
“For the first time, I got a younger sister that came,” he told reporters moments after their 108-102 win over San Miguel. “My mom, my brother came from my immediate family, but this is my first time — I swear.”
Justina arrived in Manila on Monday morning, catching the three-time Best Import by surprise, as he had no idea she would be visiting.
“I didn’t know she was coming! She surprised me,” said Justin, smiling and visibly happy to have his sister around. “But it’s always great to see her.”
Justina watched the game, of course, wearing a jersey of her celebrated brother, and it couldn’t have been more fitting for her first PBA experience than to witness ‘JB’ light it up with 51 big points on 62.1-percent shooting.
(C) PBA Images
“That was for me,” she said proudly of his performance, which ultimately gave the Kings their first win of the Season 49 Governors’ Cup.
“She definitely gave me some motivation and inspiration to come out and play harder,” said Justin, who also had 13 rebounds.
“She’s always been my biggest fan ever since we were kids.”
More than the on-court exploits, though, it’s really touching to see how Justin has endeared himself to the Filipino fans.
“It is humbling,” Justina said. “It has been a humbling experience, and he’s humble with it as well. And I’ve been enjoying it; you all are so nice to him and take care of him.
“I worry about him, but knowing he’s in good hands feels good.”
Now, with Justina staying for a while, Justin hopes to ensure they can spend some time together despite his busy schedule.
“I will be pretty busy, but if she wants to go out, maybe to the provinces or the islands, or Boracay or the beach, she’s more than welcome to go,” he said.
“But she’s been wanting to see the games. We’ll see.”
