Barangay Ginebra import Justin Brownlee didn't mind losing the PBA Governors' Cup Best Import award to Meralco counterpart Allen Durham.
"It would have been great to win it but Allen, he deserves it," said Brownlee.
Brownlee and Durham engaged in a tight battle for the Bobby Parks, Sr. trophy but the Bolts' resident import got the accolade - his third overall - after garnering 1,170 points against the Gin King's 937 in the final tally.
"Every time he's here in the Philippines he elevates his team and he's been playing great basketball, playing at the highest level so I think he deserves it," said Brownlee, himself a one-time Best Import Awardee.
Brownlee, though, got the result his team was gunning for Wednesday night, a 94-72 Game 4 rout that pushed the Gin Kings a win away from the ultimate prize against Durham and his pals.
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While honored to be a three-time awardee, Durham said the personal feat isn't the purpose of his fourth stint with Meralco.
"It don't mean nothing right now. That's not why I came back. I'm just worried about trying to get a win on Friday and extend the series," said Durham.
For Ginebra coach Tim Cone, Brownlee doesn't need validation to be acknowledged as the brightest foreign reinforcement.
"Justine is Justine. Even though he didn't win the Best Import award, he is still going to go down as one of the best imports, at least in Ginebra history, and maybe PBA history," said Cone.
For the grandslam-winning coach, Brownlee's best attribute is his team-first mentality.
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"He really cares about winning for the team, not for himself. He is really special that way," said Cone.(OL)
