For heaven’s sake and for the nth time, Barangay Ginebra, please give Justin a freakin’ break.
Yes, I’m—again!—talking about the one and only Justin Brownlee, the import GOAT of the Gin Kings, the adopted son of Philippine basketball, the man who has delivered more championships than some franchises have playoff appearances.
But this is the 2025-2026 Commissioner’s Cup, where size is no longer just an advantage—it’s a declaration of war.
In a world of gargantuan imports like Bol Bol, a 7’3” former Miami Heat draftee now suiting up for TNT Tropang 5G, and 7’6” behemoth Sam Deguara of guest team Macau Black Bears, me thinks the crowd favorites are better served recruiting a new import to balance the scales.
Let’s face it. Brownlee turns 38 this coming April 23. Father Time remains undefeated, even if Justin Pinoy has given him a few technical fouls along the way.
At 6-foot-6 (listed generously at 6-foot-7 in some programs), Brownlee is now on the shorter end of the stadiometer when lined up against the hulking titans rival PBA teams are parading in this unlimited-height free-for-all.
And while the age-old adage that “speed blinds” may apply, you not only need to factor in Brownlee’s age but also the mileage on that 6-foot-6 frame. His body has endured over 260 PBA games, averaging roughly 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per outing across a decade of excellence. Add to that countless playoff wars and his duties with Gilas Pilipinas as the country’s naturalized player.
That’s a lot of tread on the tires.
Compare that to what the rest of the Commissioner’s Cup field is bringing in.
TNT’s Bol Bol averaged just 5.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in limited minutes with the Phoenix Suns last NBA season, but he flashed a 25-point explosion in February 2025 that reminded everyone why his ceiling remains tantalizing. And at 7-foot-3, he doesn’t need 25 points to impact a game—he just needs to stand in the paint and alter everything.
Macau’s Deguara, meanwhile, averaged 15.2 points and 12.8 rebounds in the EASL with the Black Bears. A walking double-double at 7-foot-6, he sees over double-teams the way the rest of us see over coffee tables.
Converge brings in 7-footer Kylor Kelley, who averaged 8.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks in the G-League and led portions of the 2024-25 season in blocks per game. Terrafirma’s Mubashar Ali put up 14.5 points and 9.7 boards in Qatar and once grabbed 26 rebounds in a single contest. NLEX taps Cady Lalanne at 13.6 points and 9.5 rebounds in WASL play.
And Ginebra?
They counter with Brownlee, who averaged 16.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in Indonesia with Pelita Jaya before returning to Manila.
The problem is not production.
The problem is physics.
The Gin Kings have been a smallish team ever since team manager Alfrancis Chua—also sports director of San Miguel Corp.—banished 7-foot Greg Slaughter and 6’8” Christian Standhardinger to what I previously described as the PBA’s equivalent of Siberia. Whatever the politics, the result is this: Ginebra no longer has an imposing natural big to pair with Brownlee in import-laden conferences.
So who in God’s green earth will Ginebra field to stop the Bols and Deguara of the new PBA world?
There’s 39-year-old Japeth Aguilar, still springy but more greybeard than gazelle now. He averaged 11.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks last conference—respectable numbers, but asking him to anchor against Wun-Wuns and Mag Mar Tun Doh Wegs of the world—Game of Thrones reference—nightly is like assigning a cavalry saber against a tank.
Then there’s Ben Adamos (6’7”), Norbert Torres (6’6”), and the returning Isaac Go (6’8”). No offense to Adamos, but if this Ginebra stint doesn’t go anywhere, his next stop might indeed be the MPBL. Torres acquitted himself well in the last conference, but he’s not exactly the antidote to a skyscraper.
As for Go, it’s literally go time.
The former Ateneo big man, traded in lieu of Standhardinger, needs to finally deliver on the stretch-5 promise. He has to shake off the Mr. Glass references and prove he can stay healthy, space the floor, and defend without fouling. Ginebra needs him to be more than a theoretical matchup problem—they need him to be a real one.
Meanwhile, the backcourt remains solid for head coach Tim Cone’s team. RJ Abarrientos is coming off an 18.1-point, 4.1-assist Philippine Cup. Scottie Thompson continues to flirt with triple-doubles at 14.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists while shooting over 50% from the field. Stephen Holt chips in 12.8 points and solid perimeter defense.
But guards don’t block 7’6” hook shots.
This isn’t a knock on Brownlee. Far from it. His career numbers—22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists—cement him as arguably the greatest import in PBA history. He has hit buzzer-beaters, carried undermanned rosters, and delivered championships under pressure that would melt lesser men.
But maybe—just maybe—it’s time to protect the legacy rather than stretch it thin.
The Commissioner’s Cup has evolved into a land-of-the-giants carnival. Unlimited height means teams are rolling the dice on size alone, betting that length can neutralize skill.
Ginebra doesn’t have to abandon Brownlee forever. But for this specific tournament? Against this specific crop of gargantuan imports?
Maybe the brave move isn’t loyalty. Maybe it’s strategy.
Give Justin a break—not because he can’t do it, but because he’s done enough.
And because even legends deserve a little load management in a league that suddenly thinks it’s the NBA’s land of giants.
Hope Chua has Dwight Howard or DeMarcus Cousins on speed dial.