JUSTIN Brownlee had a memorable night in his basketball career scoring a personal-best 51 points in Barangay Ginebra’s big victory over San Miguel in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
And one of the persons in the stands on Tuesday night was his twin sister Justina, who is in Manila for the very first time to see her brother play.
Justina said her visit to Manila is a big surprise as they haven’t seen each other for quite some time due to Justin’s busy schedule.
“He was actually a surprised that I came so I surprised him. He didn’t know I was coming,” said Justina. “I came with his girlfriend, and we came, I hid and I was like popped out and it was a nice surprise.”
“So he knew he had to win today,” said Justina, who is the oldest by, according to her, about an hour.
Not only did Justin won, he gave her sister a career night, besting his previous mark of 50 he set last July 14, 2019 in the Governors’ Cup against Columbian in an overtime game.
“He’s been laughing and joking ever since we got here,” said Justina, who will watch Friday’s game against Blackwater at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium before going back home on Saturday.
Justina is currently a Human Resource Manager, and was a former basketball player in Darton College and Fort Valley State University in Georgia in the United States.
Justina describes his brother as a shy person, but said his true personality comes out when he is around basketball.
“Justin has always had a ball in his hand since about I say five, six years old, he always play basketball. Basketball has always been his life. My momma would drop him under the basketball court in like in the morning and go back in the evening.
So he always found a way. Even when didn’t have a basketball in his hand, he would be faking around the house like he had a basketball in hand,” said Justina, who also has two other sisters and a brother other than Justin.
“So it is definitely his peace. That’s where he really found himself in basketball. He’s very shy and meek. But in basketball, you see his personality come out,” said Justina.
Brownlee is happy to oblige to give his sister a gift with a performance to remember.
“It’s her first time in the Philippines. She’s just enjoying it. She’s been here for one day. She definitely gave me some motivation and inspiration to come out there and play hard. She has always been my biggest fan ever since we were kids,” said Justin.
Seeing Justin in person here, Justina said she now understands why his brother comes back time-and-time again in the Philippines to the point where the 36-year-old became a naturalized citizen.
“Coming here and actually seeing his success in person, I have met so wonderful people while coming here, and I see why he chooses to come back conference after conference. And it has been, to be honest, he has had kind of a life-changing experience out here. And I thank the Filipino people for actually treating him like they are treating him,” said Justina.
“It has been a humbling experience, and he is humbled with it as well. I’ve been enjoying it. You’ve always been so nice to him and taking care of him. I worry about him but to know he is in good hands, it feels good,” she added.
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