Chris McCullough has drawn up a full-circle moment in the upcoming PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals between TNT and Barangay Ginebra.
Much has been said about the comebacking import’s attempt at winning a second championship in as many campaigns. But adding to the 31-year-old’s excitement is his much-awaited clash with the celebrated Justin Brownlee.
While it will be their first time squaring up in the league, both men have known one another from way back — at a time when they were still laying the foundation of what would eventually become successful hoop careers.
(C) PBA Images
“I was probably about 13 or something like that, maybe 14,” recalled McCullough during the pre-Finals presser at the Novotel Manila Araneta City.
McCullough was still that young when he met the Tifton, Georgia-native, who was then in the midst of his collegiate career with St. John’s University in Queens, which was about 20 minutes away from his hometown of the Bronx.
“He was in college, and I used to go to that college to work out with him when I was really young,” said the 6-foot-9 wing from New York, who, after transferring to two schools, concluded his high school stint with the renowned IMG Academy.
Over a decade later, they’re now competing for a PBA championship, and Brownlee himself is as eager to go up against a worthy adversary.
(C) PBA Images
“I think it’s gonna be an exciting matchup,” said Brownlee, who’s aiming for a seventh title — which, if he accomplishes it, will make him the winningest import in league history. “I’ve known Chris for a long time, when he was a lot younger.
“But he’s a very versatile player; he’s definitely going to be a challenge for our team to be able to not stop him but to contain him,” furthered the 37-year-old, who was raised in Tifton, Georgia.
“We’re all looking forward to the challenge, though.”
McCullough can’t wait either to get into war mode with the Barangay in a best-of-seven series, which he believes could go down as a memorable one.
“I think this is truly gonna be one of the PBA Finals that’s gonna be remembered for a long time. Great team, and we’re going up against a great player,” he said.
“This is going to be one of the ones that’s gonna be remembered. I feel like both teams are preparing to get ready for it.”
