PBA Finals: No doubt Justin Brownlee is the GOAT, says Tim Cone

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Justin Brownlee celebrates after winning the championship in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Barangay Ginebra longtime import Justin Brownlee did it again.

When the Gin Kings needed him most in Game 7 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, Brownlee answered the call, and coach Tim Cone certainly didn’t let the effort go unnoticed.

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Brownlee has long been in the conversation as the greatest import in PBA history, but if Cone has any say on it, there shouldn’t even be a debate.

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Brownlee’s resumè, after Wednesday, backs it up.

READ: PBA: Ginebra rides Brownlee’s 54 despite ‘Justin-centric’ concern

“I don’t think there’s any doubt that he is the GOAT (Greatest of All Time),” said Cone after their championship-clinching 88-76 win over TNT at Mall of Asia Arena

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“Although, there’s always going to be people who think otherwise. I think MJ (Michael Jordan) is the GOAT, some people think it’s LeBron (James) or Kobe (Bryant), there’s always going to be arguments.”

“But, for me? My opinion, Brownlee’s the GOAT.”

Following Ginebra’s first title since 2023, Brownlee racked up his PBA championship count to seven.

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This edition of the Commissioner’s Cup also saw him capture his fourth Best Import of the Conference award.

At 38 years old, Brownlee has shown no signs of slowing down. He even reset his career-high with 54 points in Game 5 of the Finals against the Tropang 5G.

And in the game that determined the champion of Season 50’s second conference, the Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player delivered a double-double of 30 points and 14 rebounds.

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Even more impressive was the fact that he missed just 22 seconds of action. Brownlee played 47 minutes and 38 seconds in a winner-take-all Game 7 at 38 years old.