This is why Justin Noypi is a fan favorite.
Come to think of it, only fatigue and other physical ailments can slow down Justin Brownlee.
During the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup, it was the case of food poisoning. In the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, the extreme heat affected the six-time PBA champion to the point that he was rendered ineffective in the Philippines' surprising defeat to Cambodia during the preliminary stages.
“He feels smothered, hindi siya makahinga, so that’s a real problem," coach Chot Reyes revealed Brownlee's status when Gilas Pilipinas earlier absorbed the loss from the host country.
But neither heat nor exhaustion could stop Justin Noypi in the do-or-die game against last year's gold medalist Indonesia. Like what he's done for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel for years, Brownlee carried Gilas when the country needed him most. The 35-years-old reinforcement finished with 34 points, including clutch baskets and the go-ahead trey against the defending champions to make sure that Pilipinas will return to the gold medal round.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, the Gilas Pilipinas newbie, and one of the key players against Indonesia, has nothing but praise for JB.
"That's why he's the GOAT (greatest of all time), right? That's why he's the best import ever," Ganuelas-Rosser told One Sports' Carlo Pamintuan after the semifinals match.
"He's battle-tested man, there's nothing like playing JB. Much rather be on his side. I'd been on the other side, couple of times. [Brownlee's] our leader, we look forward to closing it out tomorrow (Tuesday). Hopefully, it's gonna take another group effort."
Brownlee, Ganuelas-Rosser, and the rest of the national team know that it's gold or nothing for the basketball-crazy Filipino fans.
"We're in a do-or-die situation. We didn't come in to play for third. We came in to get back the gold. Just wanna leave it all out and give them our all and we came out with the victory."
Gilas Pilipinas now has the shot for vindication and revenge in the final match against host country Cambodia. Expect another big game from JB.