Justin Brownlee’s near triple-double performance in Game 1 of Barangay Ginebra’s best-of-five quarterfinals series with Meralco is a testament that he’s back in tip-top condition.
After battling cramps during the league’s most popular team’s last game in the elimination round against NLEX, Brownlee returned to his old, deadly form as he led Ginebra to a 99-92 victory over bitter rival Allen Durham and the Meralco Bolts on Thursday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Brownlee’s stats line showed it all — 29 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists — and the six-time champion took charge and spearheaded the Gin Kings in drawing first blood.
For Brownlee, the learning phase where he tried to get to know the new guys on the team is still a continuing process, but he felt he had to take the lead now that the tournament has reached the tough grind.
“The elimination round was a time to get to know everybody, the new guys on the team,” said Brownlee. “We kinda used that (elimination) to kinda build chemistry. For myself, seeing where the new guys, get the ball, when to attack and give them confidence to just be aggressive and let them play the way they play within our offense is important.”
“The triangle (offense) is not an easy thing to learn and find your way, but I have to give credit to the new guys. They’ve been doing a great job, just focusing in and learning. It comes not just from me, but from the other veteran players on the team.”
From the new guys Brownlee mentioned, Stephen Holt, last season’s Rookie of the Year, emerged as the most consistent as he pumped in 14 points to provide the extra firepower needed by Brownlee and former Most Valuable Player Scottie Thompson, who scattered 19 markers.
Louis Raphael Cu, who is only on his second season with the Gin Kings, added nine points, while rookie Rhon Jay Abarrientos contributed eight points.
Now Ginebra goes for another win that would shove the team within striking distance of reaching the Final Four and putting on more pressure on Meralco, the reigning Philippine Cup titlist.
