Brownlee Pays Durham’s Biggest Tribute Since Retirement – Sports Interactive Network Philippines

Justin Brownlee has nothing but respect for Allen Durham, who recently announced his retirement from professional basketball.

The Barangay Ginebra import paid tribute to his long-time nemesis in the finals on Wednesday, days after Meralco dispatched Durham following his decision to call it a career.

Durham, 36, retired shortly after Meralco’s EASL match against the Ryukyu Golden Kings in Okinawa, Japan on October 16 last year, incidentally his former team when he was still playing in Japan’s B.League.

Durham’s retirement also came after the Bolts were swept in the quarterfinals by Barangay Ginebra in the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup in another battle with Brownlee.

Brownlee and Durham have met in the finals three times, with Ginebra and JB winning each time.

“Congratulations on an amazing career,” said Brownlee, 36, when asked by reporters about his reaction to Durham’s retirement after Game 2 of the Governors’ Cup finals between Barangay Ginebra and TNT.

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“He was an amazing player, a great player in the Philippines and all over Asia. Just congratulations on the success,” Brownlee added.

Despite not winning a PBA championship, Durham enjoyed individual success, winning three Best Import awards in the 2016, 2017 and 2019 Governors’ Cup. He went on to win a title for the Golden Kings in the B.League in 2023, winning the Finals MVP in the process.

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More than the battle on the court, Brownlee said he also admires Durham as a person outside of basketball.

“It’s always a fun fight against him. I appreciate the player you are and more importantly the person you are. Congratulations to AD on his great career,” Brownlee said.

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