RJ Abarrientos is among the locals who provided the firepower for Ginebra in Game 3 of the PBA Finals, but the Gin Kings still lost to the TNT Tropang Giga.
Ginebra is hoping for good news as Justin Brownlee headed to the hospital due to the dislocated thumb he incurred in the third quarter of Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals Wednesday night, March 19.
Brownlee sustained the injury after diving for a loose ball, leading to his exit from the match. The Gin Kings eventually bowed to the Tropang Giga, 85-87.
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From the looks of it, Brownlee’s injury is serious, according to Abarrientos.
“We’re still hoping na maging OK ang results ni JB. Pero sa tingin ko ngayon, malala daw yata according sa mga doctors namin,” said Abarrientos, who finished with 13 points, four rebounds and two steals.
With or without Brownlee, the Gin Kings have no other recourse but to give their all to once again pull level in the best-of-seven encounter come Game 4 this Friday, March 21, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
“Wala, eh. Kailangan naming harapin 'to. We’re still in the Finals. Kahit na locals kaming matitira dito against a dominant team like Talk ’n Text, ganoon talaga. Kailangan naming akuin or tapusin kung anong puwede naming maging adjustment without JB. Or, hopefully, makabalik siya," said Abarrientos.
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Abarrientos recognizes that there are big shoes to fill for the rest of the Gin Kings in case Brownlee misses their next match, but he reiterated that they are ready to step up.
"Ibang factor kapag wala si JB sa loob. Iba 'yong na-ma-magnet ni JB sa offense. Tapos siyempre, pagdating sa depensa, mayroon kaming bigger guy who can help sa mga locals," said Abarrientos.
"Big factor 'yong nawala si JB (in Game 3). [Pero] sabi ko nga, we need to move on. Kailangang harapin namin 'to," said Abarrientos.