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    Brownlee on Pinoy nickname: ‘I think Justin Noypi is cool’

    Or is 'Kabayan 32' better?
    Jan 21, 2023
    Justin Brownlee Ginebra celebration vs Bay Area
    Justin Brownlee's naturalization was worth the wait.
    PHOTO: Jerome Ascaño

    INITIALLY, he was referred to as "Kabayan 32."

    But there’s one moniker which truly struck Justin Brownlee now that he’s one of our own.

    Justin Brownlee on Pinoy nickname

    “I feel like ‘Justin Noypi’ is cool,” said the 34-year-old Brownlee, who was recently granted Filipino citizenship, while flashing that signature charismatic smile.

    “A lot of people calling me Noypi now. Stuff like that,” he added. “So for me, I think ‘Justin Noypi’ is cool.”

    Last Jan. 12 President Marcos signed Republic Act. No. 11937 into law granting the long-time Barangay Ginebra import Filipino citizenship.

    A day after the Kings won the PBA Commissioner’s Cup championship by beating Bay Area Dragons in Game 7 of their title series before an overflow crowd at the Philippine Arena, Brownlee skipped joining the team in its post-championship party as he took his oath of allegiance to the country at the Senate Office on Monday morning.

    While smiling a lot, Brownlee was emotional inside.

    “I will try for my heart not to cry,” said the six-time PBA champion and three-time Best Import awardee. “But I’ve been waiting for this moment the whole time.”

    A native of Tifton, Georgia and a product of St John’s, Brownlee makes his long-awaited debut in a Philippine team jersey come the sixth and final window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.

    He was named as part of the 24-man pool released by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) over the weekend from where the final 12-man roster will be selected to battle Jordan and Lebanon at the Philippine Arena on Feb. 24 and 27, respectively.

    As the country’s naturalized player, Brownlee is definitely a shoo-in for one of the Gilas spots.

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      He vows to bring the same ‘Never-Say-Die’ spirit he’s been doing at Ginebra to the national team.

      “Playing for Gilas is going to be very special,” he said. “Just going out there and you know, just wanna make the fans happy.

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      “The Filipino fans, they’re the best in the world. Go out here and play hard, and give that NSD attitude like I play for Ginebra, and hopefully I can just make the Philippines even prouder.”

      Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

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      Justin Brownlee's naturalization was worth the wait.
      PHOTO: Jerome Ascaño
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