Ginebra's Justin Brownlee and Meralco's Allen Durham have a longstanding PBA rivalry, one that will be reignited in the 2024 Governors' Cup quarterfinals.
Over the past decade, the PBA has seen many great rivalries, whether between teams or individuals.
But since 2016, a bright spotlight has been on the battle between two imports—Barangay Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee and Meralco’s Allen Durham.
Come the Season 49 Governors' Cup quarterfinals, Brownlee and Durham will square off once more as the Gin Kings and Bolts look to advance further in the conference.
But first, let’s relive the previous matchups between JB and AD dating all the way back to that fateful first encounter in 2016.
2016 Governors’ Cup—Brownlee’s historic shot
Who doesn’t remember JB’s shot that ended the Gin King’s eight-year championship drought in the PBA?
Brownlee capped his first conference with a title with Ginebra after bagging the Governors’ Cup crown on an incredible buzzer-beater over Durham during Game 6 of the Finals.
This series, and this shot, was the start of what would be an epic basketball rivalry.
2017 Governors’ Cup—Game 7 at Philippine Arena
In front of a then-record 54,086 crowd at the Philippine Arena, Barangay Ginebra successfully defended their title after outlasting the Meralco Bolts in Game 7 of the 2017 Governors’ Cup Finals.
Brownlee, who finished with 23 points, eight rebounds, and five assists in the Game 7 victory, chalked up another win over Durham, who had a monster performance himself with 26 points, 24 rebounds, nine assists, and two blocks.
2019 Governors' Cup—Reasserting their mastery
A dominant Ginebra squad was not to be denied, winning a third Governors’ Cup crown in four years after outclassing Meralco in just five games.
This marked Brownlee's third Finals victory over Durham—and what was their last meeting until five years later.
2024 Governors’ Cup—Is it Durham, Meralco’s time?
Times have changed since their last encounter.
The Bolts are finally PBA champions after dethroning the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup. Even Durham found his title success, winning the B.League championship in Japan with the Ryukyu Golden Kings in 2023.
The Gin Kings, on the other hand, have revamped their squad after ending their time with Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle, trading for Stephen Holt and Isaac Go and drafting RJ Abarrientos.
The numbers may seem to favor Durham and Meralco this time around, but don’t expect Brownlee and Ginebra to go down that easily.
Game 1 of their best-of-five quarterfinal series will begin on Thursday, September 26 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.