MANILA – Justin Brownlee might have won several PBA titles with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings but winning his first gold medal with the Gilas Pilipinas is “something special.”
According to the naturalized Filipino forward, nothing beats the feeling of representing and winning a gold medal while wearing the tricolors of the national men’s basketball team.
“I got to put it on the top,” Brownlee said on his first Gilas Pilipinas gold in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games. “Playing for Ginebra is truly special, I must admit. It’s truly special. There’s nothing like it.”
“But I have to say about representing and putting on this Filipino jersey. There’s nothing like it. It’s an unbelievable feeling when you have the whole country behind your back and supporting you,” he added.
Brownlee has been solid for the Gilas Pilipinas in the SEA Games men’s basketball playoffs, including his 23-point performance in their 80-69 victory over Cambodia in the gold medal game on Tuesday night.
“Battling the heat here in Cambodia, I was just proud of my guys for coming back from the first time we played against Cambodia,” Brownlee said. “We knew it’s going to be a tough battle for the whole SEA Games.”
“We just tried to keep fighting. It feels great to get the win. I’m just happy for the whole Filipinos, the whole team, coach Chot [Reyes], the entire coaching staff did a great job,” he added.
Now that the SEA Games is done, the 32-year-old Brownlee is looking forward to the next time he wears the Gilas Pilipinas jersey—either in the Asian Games or in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
“I’ll play in any type of environment as long as it doesn’t kill me,” said Brownlee. “I love representing the Philippines, it’s very special to me and my career. I’m just ready to keep repping the flag.”
“I want to do great. And just kinda feed off that energy and just give your all. I pride myself on going out there and leaving it on the floor. That’s what it’s all about,” added the naturalized player./PN
