Justin Brownlee closes in on PBA import games record

SCHEDULE: PBA Commissioner’s Cup 2026 Semifinals

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ import Justin Brownlee during a game in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals vs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Justin Brownlee closed in on setting a PBA record among imports during Game 2 of the Commissioner’s Cup semifinals between Barangay Ginebra and Rain or Shine.

Friday’s contest at Mall of Asia Arena marked Brownlee’s 270th game, putting him in a tie for second on the all-time list for most appearances by a reinforcement. He is even with Alaska great Sean Chambers, as per PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III.

READ: PBA: Justin Brownlee says his 40 points a product of ‘team effort’

Brownlee also moved 12 shy of equalling the record of 282 games set by Norman Black.

There’s a remote possibility of Brownlee tying Black before the end of the second conference, if Ginebra’s series with Rain or Shine goes to seven games and if the crowd favorites go into the Finals and also reach a deciding Game 7.

Justin Brownlee is lighting it up for Barangay Ginebra in his 270th career PBA game. He’s now tied for second all-time among imports with Sean Chambers, per PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon. Norman Black holds the record with 282 games. | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/F4nP09AQj3

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) May 22, 2026

Since his debut in the 2016 Governors’ Cup as a replacement for an injured Paul Harris, Brownlee has been Ginebra’s resident import, which translated into a period of success.

During conferences with imports, Ginebra won six championships with Brownlee, the most recent being the 2022-23 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Ginebra has also tapped just two imports during the same timeline, namely Charles Garcia in the early goings of the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup before being replaced by Brownlee, and Tony Bishop for the whole duration of the 2023-24 Commissioner’s Cup.