Justin Brownlee praises rival Allen Durham as Meralco import retires

Barangay Ginebra import Justin Brownlee praised rival Allen Durham as the latter retired after his recent stint in the PBA.

Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo confirmed Durham's retirement in a message to GMA News Online on Sunday.

Brownlee and Durham met in the playoffs four times, three in the finals in 2016, 2017, and 2019, and in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Governors' Cup.

"You know, he's been an incredible player, a great player here in the Philippines and all over Asia. And, yeah, just congratulations to your success," Brownlee said on Wednesday.

"It was always a fun battle, you know, going against him. I appreciate, you know, the player you are and, more importantly, the person. So, congrats to AD for his career, his great career."

Durham has been named as the league's Best Import thrice in the 2016, 2017, and 2019 Governors' Cup.

Before his recent stint with Meralco, he has also played with the Ryukyu Golden Kings in Japan.

—with reports from Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News