By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
What’s new? Justin Brownlee just doing ‘Justin Brownlee things’.
Still stinging after that disappointing loss at the hands of the visiting Hong Kong Eastern basketball club during their last outing, Justin Brownlee wanted all the smoke and vented his ire on the Terrafirma Dyip after leading the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings to a decisive 114-98 victory in the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup on December 18, 2024.
Ginebra’s resident super import stole the show and erupted for a game-high 49-point performance, spearheading the Gin Kings’ bounce-back victory to improve their import-laced conference record to 3-1.
From the get-go, Brownlee already put the team on his back after a waxing hot start, concluding the first two quarters with 25 big points.
Brownlee kicked off his majestic offensive outing with a fishing exhibition as he put the entire Terrafirma backcourt pool in foul trouble.
After four early trips to the free throw line, Brownlee sank back-to-back three-pointers and capped off the first frame with an insane reverse layup that steered the Gin Kings to an early 26-20 advantage.
Despite Terrafirma answering back in the first four minutes of the following quarter, Brownlee spoiled their chances of inching close after showcasing his efficient perimeter shooting game, while also putting the clamps on the Dyip with his disciplined defense.
Things got worse for Terrafirma when Brownlee added further damage and helped Ginebra balloon their biggest lead of the ball game at 22 points.
From his isolation ability to score the rock to his post fade-aways, the loyal Ginebra fans who flocked to the Ninoy Aquino Stadium received an early Christmas treat with his stellar offensive clinic.
Terrafirma then seen enough of Brownlee’s brilliance and waved the white flag early in the fourth after pulling all of their key starters with three minutes still remaining in the game.
Aside from his usual scoring numbers, Brownlee also wrapped up the win with an all-around performance of 12 rebounds and six assists.
Backstopping Brownlee in their massive win were rookie floor general RJ Abarrientos and newly acquired power forward Troy Rosario, who chipped in 18 and 17 markers, respectively.
“It was a good win for us because we’re missing two important starters that have been contributing big time for us. There was a little anxiety coming into this basketball game, that took out some anxiety when they played well,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone after the lopsided win.
