Despite playing with a thumb injury, Justin Brownlee powered Ginebra to back-to-back wins and a crucial 3-2 lead over TNT in the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals.
Against tough odds, Brgy. Ginebra is one win away from the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup championship.
Things seemed bleak for the Gin Kings when resident star import Justin Brownlee was doubtful for Game 4 of the Finals against the TNT Tropang Giga following a gnarly thumb injury.
However, Ginebra not only survived Brownlee’s injury, but the Gin Kings actually thrived as they’ve somehow won Games 4 and 5, seizing a crucial 3-2 lead in the best-of-7.
[RELATED: Ginebra moves on cusp of PBA Commissioner's Cup crown with Game 5 win over TNT]
“I salute him sa sacrifice na ginagawa niya sa team,” veteran guard LA Tenorio said of his longtime teammate.
“Hindi talaga laruin yung situation niya, pero nilaban nila. Kita niyo naman yung struggle niya, talaga nahihirapan siya but he’s still there. He showed the ‘Never Say Die’ spirit,” Tenorio added.
Despite the tough physical predicament, Brownlee has done his part, scoring 23 points, with 12 rebounds and five assists in Game 4 to initially tie the series.
For Game 5, Brownlee bucked a slow start and finished with 18 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists. In both games, JB played at least 45 minutes.
“He was having a hard time gripping the ball today, it’s like he was afraid to grab the ball hard,” head coach Tim Cone said of Brownlee.
“It’s just something he’s managing as we go. When you first get an injury it hurts a lot, then you really start to feel the injury after a day or two,” he added.
[RELATED: Cone tips hat off to Thompson after Gins' Game 5 win: ‘He just inspired the whole team’]
With two days in between Games 5 and 6, the Gin Kings are hopeful that Brownlee can be as close to being comfortable when Ginebra goes for the title-clinching win.
“He’s playing magnificently despite that, and that’s what is really amazing at this point,” Cone said.
(With reports from Gillian Trinidad/One Sports)