JUSTIN Brownlee will be part of the Gilas Pilipinas team tasked to regain the gold medal in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.
The SEA Games stint won't be his debut in the region.
Exactly five years ago on May 2, 2018, Brownlee was instrumental in San Miguel Alab Pilipinas’ conquest of the Asean Basketball League (ABL) title when it beat Thailand’s Mono Vampire, 102-92, in deciding Game 5 at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex.
READ: Alab brings back ABL title to PH shores
Brownlee had a near triple double in the winner-takes-all match, compiling 24 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists before a packed house at the Laguna venue.
He teamed up with Renaldo Balkman, who had 21 of his 32 points in the first half, helping Alab become the third Philippine club to capture an ABL crown.
Ray Parks also was impressive in the title win with 13 points to earn the Finals MVP nod.
Brownlee and Balkman came in as replacement imports at the turn of 2018 and immediately made an impact that culminated with the Game Five victory.
After finishing third in the eliminations, Alab swept its playoff series against Saigon Heat and second-seed Hong Kong Eastern to arrange a finals face-off against a Mono Vampire side backed by imports Mike Singletary and 7-foot-6 Sam Deguara, and Filipino reinforcements Paul Zamar and Jason Brickman.
In Game Five, Alab opened the game with an 18-8 start and was never seriously threatened in the do-or-die game.
Brownlee and Balkman would eventually face off in the PBA Finals that same year with Brownlee capturing the Commissioner’s Cup crown for Barangay Ginebra at the expense of Balkman’s San Miguel.
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