Justin Brownlee now the leading contender for Best Import award

Justin Brownlee is finally the leading contender for the Best Import award of the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup.

The 33-year old, 4-time PBA champion seized the lead in the statistical points race with 53.7 SPs following the Gin Kings return to the Finals of the season-ending conference.

Despite leading the crowd darlings to the title in 3 of the last 4 stagings, Brownlee was never recognized as the top reinforcement in the Governors’ Cup. His only Best Import citation came during the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup wherein the Gin Kings also emerged as champions.

In the 17 games that he has played this conference, Brownlee averaged 26.8 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. He was instrumental in the Gin Kings’ monumental upsets of twice-to-beat TNT in the quarters and 2nd-seeded NLEX in the semis.

The well-loved American capped off his phenomenal showing with a career playoff-best 47 points in the Finals-clinching Game 4 win over the Road Warriors in their best-of-five series.

Magnolia’s Mike Harris came in 2nd place with 49.2 SPs built on averages of 26.8 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. The former Best Import awardee, however, won’t be able to add another one to his collection following the Hotshots’ semifinal exit at the hands of Meralco.

Bolts import Tony Bishop sits at 3rd spot with 47.5 SPs and could give Brownlee a run for his money since the two will meet in the best-of-seven championship series which begins on Wednesday, April 6. The American-Panamanian reinforcement is currently averaging 25.5 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists.

Rounding up the contenders is Cameron Clark of NLEX with 41.8 SPs on averages of 24.8 points and 11.8 rebounds.