JUSTIN Brownlee did one commendable act before leaving with Gilas Pilipinas for the FIBA Asia Cup.
Proof that he is a Filipino at heart, the well-loved naturalized player and Barangay Ginebra resident import went out of his way to help families affected by a recent big fire in Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong.
READ Troy, Abarrientos left behind as Gilas heads to FIBA Asia Cup
Brownlee made the visit during a break in the Gilas practice last Tuesday following the team’s 103-98 win over the visiting Macau Black Bears the previous night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 37-year-old Brownlee personally visited the fire victims at the evacuation center, where he and his staff brought with them canned goods, bottled water, biscuits, toiletries, and snacks courtesy of the country’s No. 1 fast food chain.
Naturally, people didn’t let Brownlee go without having selfies with him - lots of it.
“Yan ang pusong Pinoy ng Justin Brownlee,” quipped Sheila Afable, the long-time, trusted assistant of Ginebra’s resident import.
Brownlee was grateful for the logistics and security provided by barangay captain Maria Abalos and secretary Anna Piola.
Of course, Brownlee was with his longtime aide-de-camp Junjun Atienza of Barangay Ginebra.
He and the rest of the Gilas team just arrived in Jedah, Saudi Arabia early Thursday morning for the 31st edition of the FIBA Asia Cup after a 10-hour flight from Manila.
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