Romwel Anzures

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel star Justin Brownlee after Game 7 of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals. PBA Images.

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ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781713276885IMG_1214.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Barangay Ginebra San Miguel star Justin Brownlee after Game 7 of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals. PBA Images.MANILA — In 2016, Justin Brownlee won his first PBA title with a magical shot that forever etched his name into Philippine basketball lore. </div>Ten years later, the Barangay Ginebra mainstay remains the gold standard among PBA reinforcements and now stands alone as the winningest player in league history.The 38-year-old naturalized Filipino captured his seventh championship after the Gin Kings defeated TNT Tropang 5G, 88-76, in Game 7 of the Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals, completing his redemption against the only team that had blemished his previously spotless record in the championship round.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/17/pba-gin-kings-reign-supreme-over-tropang-5g-clinch-commissioner-s-cup-crown-2208">READ: Gin Kings reign supreme over Tropang 5G, clinch Commissioner’s Cup crown</a></div>For the reigning Best Import of the Conference, the moment still feels surreal, especially since he insists he was only doing what was asked of him.“If you told me 10 years ago that I’d still be playing, and for a championship, I probably would not believe you,” said Brownlee. “But I’ve been blessed to play for a great team and great coaches.”“As an import in this league, there are times when you need to take over a game,” he added. “I think there is a balance where sometimes I try to get other guys involved. But there were moments when I felt like I needed to be what an import is.”With his latest title, Brownlee moved past the legendary Sean Chambers, who won six championships under Tim Cone during Alaska Milk’s glory years in the 1990s.This latest championship, however, demanded even more from him, especially when Barangay Ginebra’s locals struggled, particularly in Games 5 and 6.Brownlee needed to post his career-high 54 points in Game 5 to steer the Gin Kings to a 3-2 series lead. He followed that up with a 52-point explosion in Game 6, but the effort went for naught as TNT forced a winner-take-all Game 7.Fortunately for Brownlee, Scottie Thompson and RJ Abarrientos rediscovered their rhythm in the decider, making his 30 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists enough for Ginebra to clinch the crown.As he reflected on their latest triumph, Brownlee acknowledged that it was among the hardest championships they had ever won.“They are all hard, I’ve got to admit. But this one was tough, unbelievably tough,” said the 6-foot-5 Brownlee, who was also the smallest among all imports in the conference. “So it’s just amazing.”With the latest feat, Brownlee once again drew praise from Cone, with the winningest coach in league history declaring him the PBA’s greatest of all time.“I don’t think there’s any doubt. In my mind, he is the GOAT,” said Cone. “It’s hard to argue against seven championships.”“It’s hard to argue with the numbers he’s putting up, especially in this era where players are bigger and stronger. Imports can’t dominate like they used to, and the defense has become more sophisticated,” Cone added.The Gilas Pilipinas mentor even said that while others may choose Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, or even Victor Wembanyama as their GOAT, nothing tops Justin Brownlee in his eyes.“There’s always an argument. But for me, Justin is the GOAT,” he stressed.Cone now hopes Brownlee gets enough time to recover as they turn their attention to national team duties in the next window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers in July.

In 2016, Justin Brownlee won his first PBA title with a magical shot that forever etched his name into Philippine basketball lore. Ten years later, the Barangay Ginebra mainstay remains the gold standard among PBA reinforcements and now stands alone as the winningest player in league history.

In 2016, Justin Brownlee won his first PBA title with a magical shot that forever etched his name into Philippine basketball lore. Ten years later, the Barangay Ginebra mainstay remains the gold standard among PBA reinforcements and now stands alone as the winningest player in league history.

Ten years on, Brownlee remains the gold standard among PBA imports

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Ten years on, Brownlee remains the gold standard among PBA imports

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 18, 2026 12:36 AM PHT

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Basketball

PBA

PBA Season 50

ABSSports

PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup

PBA 50

PBA Finals

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Tim Cone

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