Justin Brownlee was truly a man on a mission Wednesday as he led Ginebra past NLEX to book the first ticket to the 2022 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.
The four-time champion was simply the difference in Game Four of the semis, turning in a playoff career-high 47 points on an impressive 70-percent shooting from the field in the 112-93 conquest of the Road Warriors.
His all-around brilliance was on display as the American cager also collected 10 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and three blocks in 44 minutes.
It was obvious that he carried much of the load for the Barangay that ultimately led to their sixth Finals trip together, but Brownlee begs to differ.
“I won’t say I carried the team. But I just tried to go out there and do my best,” he said moments after the game at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. “You know, the last game was a close game for us and we didn’t succeed.”
For the former Best Import, such a performance was powered by the message head coach Tim Cone wrote on the board prior to the match.
“He wrote on the board. He has different things on the board to put it on our minds and I guess, serve as a mentality for us to approach the game. One of the things he said, ‘No Game Fives,’” the 33-year-old shared.
“So, we just wanted to come out here and try to have that mentality and play hard,” added Brownlee, who went 6-of-10 from beyond the arc.
Furthermore, it was also his way of leading by example, since he acknowledges — and embraces fully — the role he has with the Gin Kings.
“The guys look at me like a leader so I just try to lead by example, come to practice every day, go hard, and trying to be focused and keep the guys focused. Trying to do whatever I can,” he said.
It sure feels good to fire that many points — it was his second 40-point game this conference — though it’s really the victory that meant more for Brownlee.
“It felt good. I know I scored all those points but it feels better to win. I’m just happy we got the win and I’m happy I could contribute to that,” he said.
Now, Ginebra will await either Meralco or Magnolia for their opponent in the best-of-seven series. But whoever qualifies, Brownlee nonetheless expects a battle to happen especially against quality imports.
“Them two are very tough imports,” he said, referring to Tony Bishop and Mike Harris. “They’ve proven it in the whole eliminations and in the playoffs, they’re having a tough battle themselves.
“Whoever it is, I’m expecting a tough battle. It’s going to be a different import from Durham. We usually face Durham of course in this conference. Either way, we’re expecting a tough battle from those imports and both of those teams.”
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