It’s smart not to discount the three-time PBA Best Import awardee.
The TNT Tropang Giga took over the driver’s seat in the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup finals, 3-2 with a 104-95 win against the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. TNT’s reinforcement Rondae Hollis-Jefferson pounced on the defending champions who lost their import Justin Brownlee late in the third period due to food poisoning. Unable to return, JB finished with only 14 points and 4 rebounds.
Brownlee appeared to be in real bad shape during Game 5. At the end of the match, people began to raise doubts about his availability for the next encounter. Ginebra is now in a do-or-die situation, and TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa expects nothing less from the opposing team’s best player.
“Not having Brownlee there, of course, we have to take advantage of that,” the Tropang Giga mentor told reporters during the postgame presser.
“But I don’t think he’s going to miss that sixth game or if we reach a seventh game. I think he’s going to be there.”
Tomorrow, in the same arena, TNT will have a chance to claim its ninth PBA crown in franchise history. Closing out the series this Friday will also signify a total turnaround considering the club’s disappointing campaign in the previous conference. In Ginebra’s case, its players will be fighting to keep their bid for a third straight PBA Governors’ Cup title alive.
Knowing what’s at stake, Coach Jolas is preparing to face an opponent that’s in full-strength for the rest of the way. He even praised Brownlee’s toughness as he looked forward to Game 6.
“He [Brownlee] is also a warrior. So, we’re counting everyone to be present on Friday,” Lastimosa said.