By james art BARANGAY Ginebra resident import Justin Brownlee paid the best compliment and respect to Meralco’s Alan Durham after learning of the stocky American import’s retirement from professional basketball early this week.
Speaking to sports reporters shortly after Ginebra fell to TNT, 96-84, in Game 2 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals on Wednesday night, Brownlee congratulated the 36-year-old Durham on an “amazing career.”
“He was an amazing player, a great player in the Philippines and all over Asia. Just congratulations on the success,” said Brownlee, who has shared numerous hard-court battles since 2016 in the PBA with Durham, nicknamed “The Hulk”.
Meralco’s Allen Durham and PBA PHOTO’s Justin Brownlee of Ginebra
Brownlee beat Durham in all three of their meetings in the Governors’ Cup finals in 2016, 2017 and 2019, although the former Grace Bible College standout had his fair share of individual honors as he picked up three man-of-the-match awards import into PBA.
Over the past four years, Durham has also gained recognition in Asia, helping the Ryukyu Golden Kings win the 2023 Japan B. League championship en route to winning the Finals Most Valuable Player.
Durham then returned to bolster Meralco in the Governors Cup this season after a four-year hiatus in the PBA when the Bolts crossed paths again with Brownlee and the Gin Kings.
The downbeat Bolts were unfortunately swept by the Gin Kings, 3-0, in their quarterfinal series.
The loaded Durham managed to play two more games for Meralco in the East Asian Super League Season 2 home and away, beating the Macau Black Bears 97-85 before falling 77-74 to the Golden Kings in Okinawa, Japan.
Meralco threw a celebration for Durham earlier this week, a fitting tribute to the beloved American after he decided to retire from the game for good.