Justin Brownlee surprised fans as he saw action for the Ginebra Gin Kings in Game 4 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
When Justin Brownlee dislocated his right thumb in Game 3 last Wednesday, there were doubts about whether he could play the rest of the way in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
But Brownlee did not only show up at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. He also showed the way for Ginebra in its 95-78 win over TNT in Game 4 Friday night, March 21.
[RELATED STORY: Justin Brownlee bucks thumb injury, sees action in Game 4 of PBA Finals]
The beloved Gin Kings import finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and two blocks in more than 45 minutes of play.
Thanks to his herculean effort, the Gin Kings have levelled the best-of-seven series again at 2-2.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone was in awe of his prized cager, who personified the team’s never-say-die spirit.
“(He’s) Amazing. Just a great player. But he’s such a warrior,” said Cone.
“What a warrior he is to come out and play.”
Other Ginebra Gin Kings follow suit
Jamie Malonzo topscores for the Ginebra Gin Kings in Game 4 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
But while all eyes were on Brownlee, the other Gin Kings also impressed.
There’s Jamie Malonzo, who fired 24 points for Ginebra, including eight in the final 6:47 where the team broke the game wide open.
After Poy Erram fouled out with over six minutes left to play, the Gin Kings went on an 11-0 tear to stretch a one-possession game to an 89-76 advantage.
Rey Nambatac responded, but the Tropang Giga just could not do much after that.
Calvin Oftana, who lost the Best Player of the Conference battle to NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino earlier, paced TNT with 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and one block.
RR Pogoy had 16 points and two rebounds, while newly minted three-time Best Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson put up 14 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and one block.
[RELATED STORY: TNT's Rondae Hollis-Jefferson named PBA Best Import a 3rd time]
Game 5 is slated Sunday, March 23, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 95 – Malonzo 24, Brownlee 23, J.Aguilar 18, Holt 12, Thompson 9, Ahanmisi 7, Abarrientos 2, Cu 0, Mariano 0, Pinto 0, Rosario 0.
TNT 78 – Oftana 17, Pogoy 16, Hollis-Jefferson 14, Nambatac 13, Williams 9, Erram 9, Aurin 0, Khobuntin 0, Razon 0, Heruela 0, Ebona 0.
Quarterscores: 31-21, 53-49, 72-66, 95-78.