EXCLUSIVE: Sean Chambers’ take on the PBA’s GOAT Import

Photo sources: cholet-basket.com / UAAP Media / PBA images

In the storied history of the PBA, few imports have left a legacy as enduring as Sean Chambers.

A six-time champion with Alaska and a staple of the league’s exciting 90s era, his perspective on who truly deserves the title of the greatest import carries weight. When someone who helped shape the game offers their take, it’s more than just an opinion – it’s a verdict shaped by years of experience and firsthand encounters with the best competition.

In recent years, Chambers, who is now FEU’s head coach for men’s basketball in the UAAP, has often found his name linked to another PBA legend: Barangay Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee. With a résumé filled with championships, MVP-caliber performances, and countless clutch moments, Brownlee has captivated PBA fans much like Chambers did in his prime. His latest feat? Leading Ginebra to the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals, once again squaring off against TNT in what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to this conference.

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As Brownlee continues to build his legacy, the comparisons to Chambers grow stronger, igniting debates about who truly stands as the greatest PBA import of all time.

“I’m going to say him and Bobby,” Chambers responds in an exclusive interview with ALL-STAR Magazine.

When Chambers mentions “Bobby,” he’s referring to none other than Bobby Parks Sr., another towering figure in PBA history. Parks Sr., a seven-time Best Import awardee, is widely regarded as one of the most dominant players to ever grace the oldest league in Asia. His impact on the court was so profound that the PBA eventually named their Best Import award after him.

Chambers is eager to delve into Brownlee’s offensive prowess, noting how his scoring ability and versatility remind him of another great import, Tony Harris – but with an added dimension that elevates Brownlee’s game. He sees parallels in their styles, particularly in how Brownlee can score from anywhere on the court while also facilitating plays for teammates. This blend of skills evokes memories of Parks’ own game, where dominance on both sides of the floor made him a perennial threat, solidifying his legacy as one of the best imports in PBA history.

“I think Justin is just such a terrific offensive player. Justin has the offensive skills that Tony Harris had, but he’s more of an all-around team player, more than Tony was. Tony was a crazy dynamic scorer that we had never seen before and crazy athletic. But Justin’s ability to mix in and go with the flow and still be able to put up his numbers and be able to pick up the team at the end of the game is Bobby Parks-ish,” he explains.

Chambers emphasizes that while Parks Sr. was an offensive powerhouse, his defensive abilities set him apart as well. He explains: “But Bobby was also such a dynamic defender, though. Bobby defended inside and outside. And, you know, back then Bobby would take everybody’s best player.”

When pressed to distinguish between the two in his current rankings, Chambers stands firm in his assessment. Despite the pressure to assign a hierarchy – perhaps labeling one as 1A and the other as 1B – his answer remains unwavering. “No, I think those two are the best I’ve seen,” he asserts, underscoring his belief in the unique greatness of both Parks and Brownlee.

As the conversation shifts toward Brownlee’s potential to maybe surpass Parks one day, Chambers is candid in his response. While acknowledging that Brownlee’s continued success with Ginebra and outstanding performances with Gilas could elevate his status, Chambers also highlights an important factor: the era in which Parks played.

“I’m going to say sure,” he says, before adding, “The thing about Bobby though was Bobby played in a different era. The physicality was different when Bobby played and I played.”

This distinction, he feels, makes comparisons between the two more complex.

Chambers feels that Bobby Parks’ room for collecting trophies was limited by the league’s shifting rules on import height restrictions, which he believes were designed to curtail Parks’ dominance. Despite being a former NCAA Division I player for Memphis and a three-time PBA champion, Parks could have achieved even more had he been allowed to participate in other conferences.

Chambers’ PBA accomplishments add significant weight to his own legacy. He was an integral part of the Alaska Milkmen’s dynasty in the 1990s, helping the team achieve a Grand Slam in 1996, a rare feat in the league’s history. His consistency and ability to elevate his team to multiple finals across 13 conferences from 1994 to 1998 cement his place as one of the greatest imports in PBA history. His performance was at par with the elite, and his leadership on the court was key to Alaska’s sustained success. For his career, he averaged 30.5 points, 13 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.2 blocks, 1 steal, 58% shooting, 71% free throw shooting, and 46 minutes a contest in 200 games played.

So, where does Chambers put himself in the discussion?

“I think it’s Bobby and Justin, Norman [Black], and I fall somewhere in there, somewhere after that.”

Regardless of how history ultimately judges the greatest PBA import, one thing is certain: in the eyes of Sean Chambers, the legacy of both Bobby Parks and Justin Brownlee will endure as the gold standard for future imports to aspire to.