For Justin Brownlee, winning the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup’s Best Import award is the least of his concerns.
The awarding is set on Friday, and the 6-foot-5 American is poised to bag the award for the first time in his career, as he had 54.46 statistical points at the end of the semifinals.
But Brownlee is not thinking of of accolades right now, after his Barangay Ginebra San Miguel were embarrassed by the San Miguel Beermen anew, 94-132, in Game Three of the Finals, Wednesday night.
It had equaled the worst loss in PBA Finals history, as per the league’s stats chief Fidel Mangonon III as the loss matched the 61-99 defeat the Beermen received from the Alaska Aces back in Game Six of the 1998 All-Filipino Cup. The Gin Kings are now down 1-2 in the race-to-four series.
“I’m not even thinking about it. I’m not even thinking about it,” insisted Brownlee, who led the Barangay with 32 points and 11 rebounds.
“I’m thinking about Game Four now.”
Expectations for a tight finish skyrocketed when both teams fought neck-and-neck in the first two quarters, with neither one able to find ways to break loose.
But the complexity changed in the third canto, when the Beermen exploded for 39 points in the frame alone to turn their slim two-point lead at the half to a 92-72 edge heading into the final period.
The Barangay then never got back into the game.
Moreover, the Gin Kings found themselves an unlikely killer in Chris Ross, who rained seven triples all over them en route to 23 points, along with seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals.
“You gotta give a lot of credit to San Miguel,” said Brownlee.
“They came out and played tough, hard and they were really focused. They were very sharp. They came out shooting the ball well, executing and defending,” added the 30-year-old.
Now, Brownlee is set to leave the embarrassing loss behind, and his focus is now on Game Four this Friday.
“It’s only one game. Hopefully, we can bounce back in this game and we’ll be better,” said the two-time PBA champion.
“You only have to come out and fight, that’s the only thing you can do.”
