Justin Brownlee committed costly turnovers in the final moments of Ginebra's loss to NorthPort in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
As he went for a drive from the left elbow, Justin Brownlee found himself skidding on the floor and watched on as NorthPort beat his team Ginebra, 119-116, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Brownlee slipped with 2.3 ticks remaining and as the Batang Pier was up by just two points. His turnover led to his NorthPort counterpart, Kadeem Jack, splitting his shots from the foul line for the win.
“I don't know… I just saw an opening which I thought I can take. Unfortunately, I don’t know if it's a wet spot or maybe [the problem was with] my shoes or whatever,” said Brownlee after the match at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
[ALSO READ: Japeth Aguilar comforts injured Kai Sotto: 'Have faith; He has plans for you']
Before that play, the beloved naturalized Filipino also uncharacteristically made all but one of three free throws that would have tied the game at 117 with 8.9 ticks left to play.
But Brownlee is quickly moving on from this disappointing performance that saw him commit eight turnovers.
"Things like that happen all the time throughout the games. I can't dwell on it. It is what it is at this point. I can't do anything about it now," he said.
[ALSO READ: Goodbye 2024, hello 2025: LA Tenorio values blessings, learnings of every day]
Instead, Brownlee was all praise for NorthPort, which collected its seventh win in eight games to stay atop the standings in the mid-season tournament.
“I just give a lot of credit to NorthPort. They really deserve the win,” said Brownlee, who finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and a block as the Gin Kings dropped to 5-3.
He then made special mention of the trio of import Kadeem Jack as well as Best Player of the Conference candidates Arvin Tolentino and Joshua Munzon.
Munzon was adjudged Player of the Game after producing 27 points, two rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block to backstop Jack, who had 32 points, 16 rebounds, three assists and a steal.
Before fouling out with a little over two minutes remaining, Tolentino fired 29 points built on six triples.
“They played great led by their import and Arvin and Munzon. They had a great night tonight. I give a lot of credit to them,” Brownlee added.
(With reports from Gillian Trinidad, One Sports Digital)