Jamie Malonzo came out firing with 24 points in the Ginebra Gin Kings' Game 4 victory over the TNT Tropang Giga in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
To say that Justin Brownlee is an excellent cager is an understatement.
The Ginebra leader inspires confidence and grit, none more evident in his squad's 95-78 win over TNT in Game 4 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals Friday, March 21.
[RELATED STORY: 'Warrior' Justin Brownlee plays through pain, lifts Ginebra to Game 4 equalizer over TNT]
Though playing with a dislocated right thumb, Brownlee finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and two blocks as Ginebra tied the series at 2-2.
Count Malonzo among those who are motivated to do better.
“Even in Game 3, you could see his importance on the court, his presence on the court. It's really important for him to be with us at this point in the season. So, JB playing today was very important,” said Malonzo after the match at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Jamie Malonzo shines in Game 4
The Ginebra Gin Kings do what they can to assist their injured leader, Justin Brownlee. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
Malonzo himself put up 24 big points, including eight in Ginebra's telling 11-0 blitz in the final 6:47 that allowed the team to pull away.
[RELATED STORY: Justin Brownlee returns to help Ginebra even Commissioner's Cup Finals series vs TNT]
But Malonzo refused to hog the credit. After all, the rest of the Gin Kings did step up for Brownlee.
“Anytime a player is going through something like that, and is so important to our team, I think all of us, especially, we were trying to help Justin. Just anything we can do to help him,” Malonzo said.
“He's playing through a lot of injuries. He's given us, the team, his all. So, of course, it's on us to help Justin as much as possible.”