By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Justin Brownlee did it again.
Longing for their first PBA Governor’s Cup win, resident import and Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Justin Brownlee erupted in the most perfect time for the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, exploding for a new career-high of 51 points to steer his squad to an impressive 108-102 win over the San Miguel Beermen on August 27, 2024.
Brownlee went unconscious in the second half as the game turned into a see-saw nip-and-tuck affair, carrying Ginebra on his back with his insane shot-making ability.
Aside from his offensive showcase, Brownlee also stuffed the stat sheets and had an efficient all-around outing of 13 rebounds, six steals, and five assists.
Coming off a disappointing loss at the hands of the Rain or Shine Elastopainters in their opener, Ginebra had a sense of urgency in their game against San Miguel to avoid a dangerous 0-2 hole in the import-laced conference.
Despite an early offensive punch by the Beermen in the first half, the Brownlee-led retooled Ginebra squad bounced back and turned the game into a game of runs.
San Miguel seized control of the early part of the third quarter but after Brownlee knocked down a huge three-pointer in the fifth-minute mark, Japeth Aguilar and rookie RJ Abarrientos started to hit shots and lifted the Gin Kings to equalize the game.
Both teams failed to take total control of the tempo of the game but Brownlee’s offensive barrage in the fourth proved to be too much for San Miguel.
Brownlee then iced the ball game after making the two biggest plays in the final stretch, locating Aguilar in a pick-and-roll action who swished the perimeter jumper while icing the heavyweight matchup with the cold-blooded layup in the last 28 seconds.
Terrence Romeo had the chance to help San Miguel inch close but his attempt from the rainbow country went way off the mark, resulting in a Ginebra defensive board.
Aguilar sustained his consistent output for the Gin Kings and backstopped Brownlee with 21 markers. Meanwhile, Abarrientos, who had a forgettable night in his debut, redeemed himself and added 13 points.
“The guys kept their poise, and got good shots. They found Justin, and I think that’s really key,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone after the hard-fought win.
After the close win over rival team San Miguel, Ginebra will look to make it back-to-back wins on August 30, 2024, as they take on the struggling Blackwater Bossing that is yet to enter the PBA winning column.
On the other hand, San Miguel will seek to bounce back after tasting their first loss in the Governor’s Cup on August 31, 2024, against the NLEX Road Warriors.
