ULAANBAATAR (Mongolia) - Justin Brownlee had a relatively quiet start to his Basketball Champions League Asia (BCL Asia) campaign for Pelita Jaya.

"I definitely enjoy being in the atmosphere where the fans love basketball and they're passionate about it and with the team, it's just been all great."

Of course, 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists in his first game was nothing to sneeze at. And to do it against Hi-Tech Basketball Club, who Brownlee said "are one of the best teams in Southeast Asia" and "always play hard and compete", should be considered a solid outing.

Still, it was a bit below the standard that Brownlee's fans have for him. By Brownlee's fans, we mean all of the Pelita Jaya, Indonesia basketball, Philippines basketball, and Barangay Ginebera San Miguel fans who have watched him wreak havoc on the court in the recent years. Take the game against Chinese Taipei in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers for example, where he recorded a 40 EFF with 26 points on 11-18 shooting to go with 13 rebounds and 5 assists.

Therefore, when Brownlee exploded in the follow up game - against hosts and Mongolian champions Ulaanbaatar Xac Broncos - for 38 EFF and 26 points on 10-19 shooting with 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals, fans were nodding in agreement that this was the typical "Brownlee game".

He didn't just put up numbers for the sake of putting up numbers either. Brownlee was clutch on both ends of the floor and made game-defining plays when it mattered, namely a monstrous poster dunk on Justin Moss.

The result of his big-time performance, other than getting the win is that it clinches a spot in Round 2 of the BCL Asia Qualifiers for Pelita Jaya. This will be a return to Jakarta for the part of the competition that will be played from April 23-26.

This places Pelita Jaya and Brownlee another step closer to BCL Asia, the flagship club competition of Asia itself, where they would get the chance to play against the best clubs in Asia. Among the teams that are expected to be there include teams from FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL), Korean Basketball League (KBL), Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), Japan's B.League… and the Philippines Basketball Association (PBA) - where Brownlee has played for the majority of his recent years.

"I would be torn in a tough place," said Brownlee of the hypothetical situation of him playing for Pelita Jaya against a PBA team - particularly Ginebra.

"I got a lot of love for everyone in the Philippines and all so [to play] the Filipino team outside of the PBA… oh, man, it'll be tough for me."

"At the same time, you got to compete, no matter who the opponent is."

"But I definitely wouldn't want to. But, I think it'll be fun. It'll be great."

No matter how fun that scenario is to imagine for basketball fans, we're still many steps away. Again, Pelita Jaya have only clinched a spot in Round 2 of the BCL Asia Qualifiers, so they'll have to face against the top teams (one of those teams being Hong Kong Eastern Basketball Team who have also clinched their spot already) from Round 1 in Jakarta again.

So until then, Brownlee is laser-focused on giving his all for Pelita Jaya and he couldn't be happier.

"It's great," he said about playing for Pelita Jaya and the reception from the fans. "I definitely appreciate it."

"I definitely enjoy being in the atmosphere where the fans love basketball and they're passionate about it and with the team, it's just been all great."

"Everybody's definitely welcomed me, a great welcome."

"I just enjoy being around basketball and I feel that from my team as well."

Among those in his new team are rivals who he has faced on occasion in the past whether it's Brandon Jawato or Andakara Prastawa Dhyaksa, two Indonesia national team stars. It's a change of scenery to see the two wearing the same colored jerseys for once, and one that Brownlee has enjoyed.

"Playing against them, they are fearless and very competitive," he said of his teammates in the backcourt.

"Those guys definitely have a really good skill set as a point guard and then, Jawato is a really good shooter. You could tell they got a lot of experience with the way they play the game, very smart on the court.

"I'm just happy to be on their side now and being able to learn from those guys, I think I learned a lot."

Imagining an established star like Brownlee learning and adding more to his game is a nightmare for anyone who will have to go up against him and that's what makes him that kind of star. Brownlee will adjust to his setting and thrive because he's always willing to take on new challenges, such as playing in BCL Asia where the champions across the region clash with one another.

"I think [BCL Asia] is great for Asia, just seeing other countries come together," he says.

"I enjoy it and it's a plus to play other countries and see what other teams got and see the best play the best."

"I did play in the FIBA Europe Cup and I played when I was in France [with Elan Chalon] so you're not just playing local teams, you're facing international teams as well and that was fun. It was great, man."

Of course, the perks that come with the challenge of facing these strong teams are great, too.

"Just traveling to different places, even coming here to Mongolia and seeing a new country.

I never thought I'd be here but it's good to travel and just see how basketball is here in this country as well."

He won't be travelling to a new country when Brownlee and Pelita Jaya take on Round 2 of the BCL Asia Qualifiers, but you can be sure that he will bring the exact same level of intensity to maximize the chances of his team getting the win. As always.

"We know there's gonna be some more tough teams out there. We just want to continue to get better each and every day. You never know where it may take us; hopefully it takes us far in this tournament."

FIBA