Man, I just love this team, the fans and the whole country.

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) had seen a lot of imports come and go.

But those who embraced the country as if it is their own are very few.

Justin Brownlee of Ginebra and Renaldo Balkman of San Miguel, the two protagonists in the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven finals showdown, claimed they are here to stay.

The most notable among them were seven-time Best Import awardee Bobby Parks, Sean Chambers and Norman Black.

Parks and Black settled in as PBA coaches after colorful careers with Shell and San Miguel, respectively, while Chambers maintains his strong ties with the Alaska management after powering the Milkmen to their first crown in 1991.

Brownlee is on his fourth tour of duty with the Kings that resulted to three finals appearances, two titles and a Best Import crown.

The St. John University standout, who was a journeyman before finding a home in Ginebra, said that it was an accomplishment to be hailed as the best reinforcement in this prestigious league filled with talent and passion.

“Man, I just love this team, the fans and the whole country. I love it here. The country, the PBA has been great for me,” said Brownlee, who will be given a fresh mandate in the Governor’s Cup.

With his heroic and residency for the Kings, the 30-year old Brownlee is already being touted as the best import in Ginebra franchise history, joining the likes of legends like Michael Hackett, Carlos Briggs, Chris Alexander and Billy Ray Bates.

But Brownlee is not accepting any hot take until he has proven enough for Ginebra.

Balkman, meanwhile, focuses on just getting the task at hand, which is to redeem himself from a previous sanction and guide the Beermen to their seventh consecutive title.

“I’m always the underdog since day one that I came in the league. But I’m still smiling right now. I got a smile on my face right now because I made it this far,” he said.

“And nobody can’t take that away from me. You feel me. All the negativities whatever, I hear all the time. I hear all the whispers from everybody. As underdog you know, but it’s all good. We’re on a good spot. We’re on a good position.”