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Barangay Ginebra import Justin Brownlee took the oath of allegiance to the Philippines in the Senate in Pasay City on January 16 | Photo by Daniza Fernandez
MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Barangay Ginebra import Justin Brownlee pledged his allegiance to the Philippines on Monday.
Brownlee was sworn in after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed into law the measure granting Filipino citizenship to athletes.
Senator Francis Tolentino, sponsor of the measure in the upper chamber, administered the oath of PBA players in the Senate in Pasay City.
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Brownlee said he was honored to represent the Philippine flag in the basketball competition.
“I’m just very honored and just blessed to be a Filipino and represent the country in the right way and show that the Filipino is proud to the world and on the international stage of basketball,” he said after the oath.
The athlete said he will try to make every Filipino proud.
“Since I came to this country, I’ve gotten a lot of love from fans, from people just walking down the street. A lot of people have shown me love and I really appreciate it,” Brownlee said.
“Being a citizen, I will try my best to make everyone proud. I have received many messages, people telling me that I am proud, and I just want to make you proud and do what I can to help the national team, what whatever I can,” he said.
Barangay Ginebra import Justin Brownlee (R) took the oath of allegiance to the Philippines with Senator Francis Tolentino (L) at the Senate in Pasay City on January 16 | Photo by Daniza Fernandez
Brownlee, who hails from Georgia, United States, first joined the PBA as a substitute import.
Brownlee, who has an average of 29.29 points, 10.57 rebounds, and 7.43 assists per game, is a three-time PBA best import.
He is expected to play his first game for the Philippines against Lebanon and Jordan in the sixth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
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