MANILA, Philippines — It’s always been great to win a PBA title as a “ka-barangay.” But winning it as a “kabayan” takes the feeling to a whole new level.
“Man, it makes it even more special,” said a beaming Justin Brownlee as Barangay Ginebra savored its ascension to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup throne.
Brownlee – now “Justin Noy-pi” or “Kabayan JB” to Ginebra fans – led the Gin Kings past Hong Kong’s Bay Area in a seven-game duel barely three days after being granted Filipino citizenship by the newly-enacted Republic Act 11937.
Fittingly, the three-time Best Import and his brothers-in-arms protected home turf and defended local pride via a 114-99 repelling of the Dragons in front of a record crowd of 54,589 at the Philippine Arena.
“We played with all Filipinos tonight, for the first time since I’ve been here. So, that was very special,” Brownlee said.
“All my teammates definitely congratulated me and they were telling me how proud they are of me becoming a Filipino. It was very special. And just to top it off with a win. This win is not only for Ginebra, this is for the whole country. We played an international team who came out and played tough,” he added.
Brownlee maintained his perfect slate in the PBA finals after hoisting the hardware in the 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021 Governors’ Cup and 2018 Commissioner’s Cup.
Bay Area may have fallen short from winning it all but it’s still mission accomplished for the Dragons, development and growth-wise.
Playing in an atmosphere they have never been into, the Hong Kong-based Dragons said the historic PBA experience would only make them a better, stronger squad moving forward – especially in the coming East Asia Super League.
“We have a younger group which has never experienced anything like this,” said mentor Brian Goorjian.
“These guys have never experienced a team like Ginebra. They played against good teams but Ginebra is different. There’s the physicality, there’s the toughness, there’s the emotion that they’ve never experienced before and they’re gonna grow from this. They’re gonna become better players.”
Goorjian, 69, said it’s the fruit of competitive, quality and diverse international basketball exchange that would only benefit all stakeholders here and abroad – including the visiting Bay Area, the PBA, its teams and even Gilas Pilipinas.