Ginebra Gin Kings import Justin Brownlee inspired his teammates to also give their all in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Finals.
Justin Brownlee did not hide his feelings after Ginebra bowed to eventual PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup champion TNT in seven games in the Finals last Friday, March 29.
“Definitely, heartbreaking. Man, it was tough for the team,” he said when the dust settled at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
What’s even more scathing was that the Gin Kings squandered a 3-2 lead in the series.
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With that, the Tropang Giga continued to reign over Ginebra after their third encounter in the Last Dance since the Season 47 Governors’ Cup.
“We were up 3-2. We really felt like we could win it. TNT is a great team, and they showed over and over why they deserve to be champions,” Brownlee said.
Ginebra Gin Kings fans rally their favorite team during Game 7 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
But he finds solace in the fact that the never-say-die Gin Kings will recover stronger from this setback. He himself did it when he dislocated his right thumb in Game 3 just 10 days ago.
“The loss is definitely hitting hard. But we got the NSD spirit still. [It was a] tough loss for us. We’ll be down in a while, but we’re going to get back up and we’re going to come back better,” he said.
Brownlee is likely to undergo surgery on his dislocated right thumb before returning to the United States to recuperate and recharge for another tour of duty with Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup in August.
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“Well, I just got to see how my hand is on my finger. And, hopefully, it's not too bad. But it looks like I may have to have surgery,” he said when asked what’s next for him.
“So I'll just have surgery and probably rest for a little bit. And then, you know, whenever the opportunity comes back, I can play for Ginebra or Gilas. You know, I just try to be ready.”
Justin Brownlee says Ginebra Game 7 loss to TNT 'heartbreaking,' vows team will come back stronger: 'We got the NSD spirit still'