Almost buried in the euphoria following the triumph of Gilas Pilipinas, the Philippine national Basketball team, in the 17th Asian Games was a statement attributed to Justin Brownlee, who mainly helped engineer the Philippine comeback to the continental caging glory after 61 years.
Various post-game statements focused on the heroics of different players and the capability of Coach Tim Cone that lead to the championship match victory against their early-round tormentor.
But a Brownlee statement, which was mentioned in only one platform among the dozens of online interviews, captured my attention. It was reported by ONE SPORTS: “Man, I can’t believe it, to be honest,” the platform said, in an interview with its writer, Carlo Pamintuan. “Gotta thank God. Without Him, nothing is possible,” Brownlee said.
I am not sure about the faith Brownlee keeps as online sources are apparently silent on this but one other report offers some hint.
Former PBA import Paul Harris, who had a short-lived stint with the Ginebra team due to a first-game injury, was reported to have congratulated Justin, who was his teammate in the then D-League, for his Asiad heroics.
Harris said he vouched for Justin’s character (“a perfect fit”) as his Ginebra replacement. “Some say I brought Justin to the Philippines, but that’s not true. God sent him to the Philippines,” Harris was quoted by the Manila Times in his long congratulatory message honoring Brownlee.
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Justin’s statement reminds me of, among others, the post-victory gesture of U.S. Open women’s champion Coco Gauff, who was captured on camera, as the world watched, kneeling, an act initially described by ESPN as “soaking it all in”, or taking a moment to reflect after the win.
Former Super Bowl champion head coach Tony Dungy immediately reacted, saying, “Coco Gauff was not ‘soaking it all in’… She was in prayer. In the past, she has been outspoken about her Christian faith. It is fairly evident what she is doing here.”
While detractors criticized the 19-year-old champion, believers complemented her. “It’s great to see a young athlete recognize his or her source,” was among the reactions.
“I’d like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… I thank him for covering,” she was quoted in an interview in a tour prior to the recently-concluded major tournament.
Gauff credited her father and her church family for her being prayerful. As early as she was 8 years old, she has been praying ‘before every game’.
And the prayer she said, has not been about winning the game. “It would be stupid to waste a prayer on results,” reports said. Instead, she and her father have been praying for ‘safety and for the health of both herself and her opponent.’
A whiff of fresh air, indeed, are Justin and Coco’s statements as they honor God, the source of their strength and tenacity in the highly-competitive world of sports, fame and fortune.
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He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31) | NWI
