MANILA, Philippines – Justin Brownlee wants another shot at Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and TNT.
Brownlee hopes to meet Hollis-Jefferson and the Tropang Giga again in the finals after Barangay Ginebra fell short of the PBA Governors’ Cup crown for the second straight year.
Previously 6-0 in championship battles, Brownlee has since lost twice to Hollis-Jefferson and TNT in the finals as the Gin Kings failed to reclaim the Governors’ Cup title they won four times since 2016.
“I hope so,” Brownlee said when asked about the prospect of a rematch. “We definitely would love to get back to the finals and have a shot at them again.”
“We definitely still feel confident going up against any team in this league. But it was just unfortunate in this series. TNT, they got us. The better team won.”
A three-time Best Import, Brownlee struggled to put up his usual numbers in the series, averaging 19.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 4 assists.
His finals stats were a far cry from the 28.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.8 assists he normed from the elimination round to the semifinals.
The series also saw Brownlee get limited to a PBA career-low 8 points in their 106-92 Game 5 loss, and although he doubled his effort with 16 points in Game 6, it proved insufficient as Ginebra absorbed a 95-85 defeat.
Hollis-Jefferson, meanwhile, put TNT on his back with averages of 25.8 points, 12 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1 block.
Earning his second Best Import honors this conference, Hollis-Jefferson delivered a gem of a performance in the title-clinching Game 6 with 31 points, 16 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals.
“They have some great imports in the past, Terrence Jones, Glen Rice [Jr.], they have some really good imports. But the way they play with RHJ, they got something special with him,” said Brownlee.
“I got to give him credit. He’s good and he fits that team very well. He definitely elevates them. They play better with him, I got to admit.”
The finals loss prevented Brownlee from breaking his tie with Alaska icon Sean Chambers for the distinction as the winningest import in PBA history.
For Brownlee, it is just the way the ball rolls sometimes.
“I was a little off of my game normally,” he said.
“Even I feel like I got some shots that I normally make but I didn’t connect. It was definitely a mixture of me not being able to get into rhythm and their defense not allowing me to get that rhythm.” – Rappler.com