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PBA: Ginebra's Brownlee wants to stay in PH 'for good'

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/sports/08/12/20180812-justin-brownlee.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Ginebra import Justin Brownlee. Arvin Lim, <a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/pba/photos">ABS-CBN Sports</a></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines -- How much does Justin Brownlee love the Philippines? So much, that the Barangay Ginebra import wishes he can stay in the country permanently.Alfrancis Chua, the sports director of San Miguel Corp., revealed as much on Sunday during Ginebra’s celebration of its PBA Commissioner’s Cup championship at the Metrotent Convention Center in Pasig City.“Hindi na si Brownlee ang import namin, dahil gagawin na natin siyang Pilipino,” Chua declared, as over 1,500 Ginebra fans cheered. “Sinabi sa amin ni Brownlee, kaharap ang buong team, ‘Boss, I want to be naturalized.’”Chua later clarified that Brownlee’s comment was not an expression of his intent to suit up for the Philippines in international basketball competitions. Rather, it was the import’s way of underlining just how much he has grown to love the Philippines.“He told me many times, na kung matapos siya ng paglalaro, he wants to stay in the Philippines, and he wants to be naturalized,” Chua explained. “To make the long story short, he loves the Philippines, and he wants to stay here for good.”“I’m not gonna say that in public if it’s not true,” he added. “He wants it.”<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/pba/news/2018/08/12/more-thousand-fans-celebrate-ginebra-45563">READ: Ginebra fans celebrate with their Kings</a></li></ul>Chua pointed out that even if Brownlee were to be naturalized, it was unlikely the 30-year-old player would be tapped for Gilas. “Gusto yata nila ay ‘yung malalaki (for the national team), so it’s out of the question,” said the executive.“Si Brownlee, maliit, pero ang puso ni Brownlee, malaki pa sa Pilipinas,” he added. “Siya, gusto niya talaga magpa-naturalize, hindi para maglaro.”“Gusto niya lang talaga,” Chua stressed.In this regard, Chua compared the 6-foot-5 Brownlee to former imports such as Norman Black who also came to consider the Philippines their home.“Sabi ni Boss RSA (Ramon S. Ang), kung tapos ka na maglaro, we’ll give you a job right away,” he said.Indeed, Brownlee has come to see the Philippines as more than just his basketball home.“I want to consider it my home, period,” said Brownlee, who has led Ginebra to three PBA championships in the past six conferences. “I love it here.”“You know, I wish I could live here all year round, but unfortunately, because of government rules and things like that… But I wish I could be at home permanently,” he added.In the meantime, Brownlee will settle for playing for the basketball team that is loved all over the country.“It feels great to be in this position, to be in the championship,” said Brownlee. “I’m just happy for the fans. It’s an unbelievable feeling.”For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

“Sinabi sa amin ni Brownlee, kaharap ang buong team, ‘Boss, I want to be naturalized.’”

“Sinabi sa amin ni Brownlee, kaharap ang buong team, ‘Boss, I want to be naturalized.’”

PBA: Ginebra's Brownlee wants to stay in PH 'for good'

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PBA: Ginebra's Brownlee wants to stay in PH 'for good'

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 12, 2018 05:03 PM PHT

Read More:

PBA

PBA Governors' Cup

Barangay Ginebra

Tim Cone

Justin Brownlee

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