Brownlee fights through injury, powers Ginebra to finals-tying win vs TNT
ANTIPOLO, Philippines – Just when things looked bleak for Barangay Ginebra, it worked its never-say-die magic.
The Gin Kings tied the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals as Justin Brownlee bucked a finger injury and starred in a thrilling 95-78 win over TNT in Game 4 at the Ynares Center here on Friday, March 21.
In danger of missing action after dislocating his right thumb in Game 3, Brownlee returned in fine fashion, delivering an all-around effort of 23 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks to help Ginebra knot the best-of-seven series at 2-2.
Brownlee started off hot, leading Ginebra at halftime with 15 points on a 6-of-7 shooting before the Gin Kings’ locals took over in the second half.
“I’ll be absolutely honest. I thought, from what I saw, what I heard, there was no way that Justin was going to play today,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone. “I thought he was out for the series, frankly.”
The Gin Kings also drew a prolific performance from Jamie Malonzo, who fired a game-high 24 points built on an ultra-efficient 6-of-8 clip from three-point land.
Malonzo drained two big triples in the fourth quarter as Ginebra closed the game on a 17-2 run to pull away after holding a slim 78-76 lead.
Calvin Oftana put up 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists to pace the Tropang Giga, who absorbed the most lopsided loss of the series with import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson limited to his lowest scoring game of the finals.
On the night he received his third Best Import award, Hollis-Jefferson tallied just 14 points on 5-of-18 shooting, although he contributed 12 rebounds and 5 assists.
The Scores
Barangay 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.
Quarters: 31-21, 53-49, 72-66, 95-78.
– Rappler.com