THUMBS-UP FOR JB
Justin Brownlee capped off a heroic performance with a thumbs-up sign using the same dislocated finger that two nights prior put his status for the rest of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals in doubt.
It was a money shot that symbolized renewed hope that Barangay Ginebra, which on Friday night won 95-78 at Ynares Center here in Antipolo City, can finally take down TNT after falling short in their previous title showdowns.
“As soon as they got the thumb stable, I knew I could play,” Brownlee said after going for 23 points to help the crowd favorites even things up at 2-2 and turning the title clash into a best-of-three affair.
Brownlee was a game-time decision after getting hurt in Ginebra’s Game 3 defeat. Coach Tim Cone acknowledged that a number of options were entertained, including tabbing Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Ange Kouame as a replacement.
“But then Justin said, ‘I think I can play,’” said Cone, who heaped praise on the Ginebra medical staff led by team physical therapist RC Cua.
Make-or-break
The early birds in this city roared in excitement when Brownlee came out on the floor about 90 minutes before tipoff to take some shots. His right thumb was wrapped in tape to make sure the support wouldn’t come off during the game.
Showing up already galvanized Ginebra and its faithful. He did more than that in the contest that was make-or-break.
He scored 15 in the first half on 6-of-7 shots as Ginebra led 53-49 there. But TNT was resilient and stayed close in the third and early in the fourth before Jamie Malonzo finally stepped up with two crucial shots while Japeth Aguilar contributed to pad the lead.
The result spoiled the night of TNT’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, held to 14 points on 5-of-18 shooting, after being named Best Import prior to tipoff. NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino, on the other hand, took the Best Player of the Conference award.
Hollis-Jefferson won the award given to the best foreign player for the third time after compiling 1,280 points, beating out NorthPort’s Kadeem Jack (825), Brownlee (670) and Rain or Shine’s Deon Thompson (633).
His win put the former NBA player with the Brooklyn Nets in a tie with Brownlee and ex-Meralco reinforcement Allen Durham for second on the alltime list, trailing the late great Bobby Parks, who won the award seven times. The trophy was later named in his honor.
The TNT import won on the night his mom, Rylana Hollis, was on hand to witness her son play for the first time on this side of the Pacific.
