Brownlee back for 2 Cups next season?

MANILA, Philippines - Ginebra import Justin Brownlee said yesterday he hopes to be back with the Barangay in both the PBA Commissioner’s and Governors Cups next season, adding his basketball experience in the country was the best in his overseas career that has included stops in Mexico, Italy and France.

Brownlee, 28, led Ginebra to the Governors Cup crown as the league’s most popular club mowed down Meralco, 4-2, in the best-of-seven Finals that ended last Oct. 19. The former St. John’s University forward buried the marginal, buzzer-beating triple to propel Ginebra to a 91-88 win in the Game 6 clincher.

Brownlee’s still in town with his girlfriend Javieah Curry and their two children Justin, Jr., 4 and Japaira, 1. Last Thursday, he flew to Boracay with teammate Sol Mercado for the Halloween holidays. Brownlee is scheduled to leave Manila for his California home with his family on Wednesday.

“When I get back home, I’m just taking time off,” said Brownlee. “Then, I’ll sit down with my agent to study options of where to play before coming back to Ginebra. I know the height limit for imports in the Commissioner’s Cup is 6-9 but if Ginebra will agree, I could play in that conference aside from the Governors Cup.”

Brownlee said what made his PBA experience the most memorable in his hoop journey was the Ginebra fans. “They’re like no other in the world,” he said. “In Italy and France, the fans are also enthusiastic, they know the game, they support their team. But in Europe, basketball isn’t the No. 1 sport, it’s probably No. 3 or No. 4 so basketball is overshadowed. In the Philippines, basketball is No.1, the fans love the game, their team and players. The passion is so evident. As a player, I just want to make the fans happy. It’s amazing to play for the Ginebra fans. They’re part of our Ginebra family. Honestly, even if we didn’t win the championship, this would’ve still been my best overseas basketball experience ever.”

Brownlee said competition-wise, the PBA is among the toughest leagues on the planet. “In terms of skill, PBA players are up there,” he said. “In Italy and France, you’ve got bigger, stronger, more physical players who can shoot threes. In the PBA, there aren’t as many big players but that JuneMar Fajardo is one tough dude. I went up against some great imports in the Governors Cup like Allen Durham, Eugene Phelps, James White and Henry Walker. And among the locals, that guy (Marc) Pingris was the toughest who defended me.”

Brownlee said it was ironic that he took over from the injured Paul Harris one game into the Governors Cup. “I was thinking about playing in China but I didn’t know too much about basketball in Asia so I wasn’t too sure of going then I got a call from (Filipina agent) Sheryl (Reyes),” he said. “I remember Paul and I were teammates in the D-League and he had just come back from playing in the PBA. He told me if I ever get a chance to go to the Philippines, to take it because it’s a wonderful country with wonderful people who love basketball. I never expected to fly over as Paul’s replacement. I’ve actually been Paul’s fan since he was in high school where he was one of the top five or 10 guards in the country.”

Asked who his favorite player is, Brownlee didn’t hesitate to name Kobe Bryant. “I grew up watching Magic (Johnson) on TV then I was turned on to Kobe,” he said. “Kobe was a big-time scorer and a great all-around player. I was never cut out to be a big-time scorer because I actually prefer to pass more than shoot.”

Brownlee said his junior college and Division I background prepared him for his basketball odyssey. “I played for the City College of San Francisco under coach Justin Lebagh who was a smart guy and taught me about mental toughness,” he said. “Then, I played for Greg Heiar at Chipola Junior College in Florida where I learned how important it is to play with energy, to be enthusiastic at practice and to stay positive. Then, at St. John’s, I had the benefit of playing for coach Steve Lavin and his staff with Rico Hines, Mike Dunlap and Gene Keady. They’ve had a lot of experience coaching NBA players and top-level athletes so I learned a lot from them. Coach Steve opened my eyes to playing with a perspective of a 50-year lifetime because what you learn on the court is something you take with you the rest of your life.”

At Ginebra, Brownlee said coach Tim Cone was remarkable. “Coach Tim made the right adjustments, focused on our strengths and brought us home,” he said. “We would view tape for two hours and prepare hard for each game. The staff with coach Richard (del Rosario), Olsen (Racela) and Freddie (Abuda) worked closely with coach Tim and the team throughout the conference. We wouldn’t have made it without them.”

Brownlee said he couldn’t ask for better teammates. “Sol was the key in the Finals because when he took over defending Durham in Game 2, the complexion of the series suddenly changed,” he said. “Sol and L. A. (Tenorio) are like Fire and Ice. Scottie (Thompson) has a bright future, plays with a lot of energy and his offense showed up in the Finals. Mark (Caguioa) and JayJay (Helterbrand) are our inspiration, they’re the first two at practice, they put in the work every day and they really helped us in the Finals like they’re still in their 20s. It’s a blessing that I got to play for Ginebra and I hope management gives me a chance to continue playing in the PBA.”