Justin Brownlee provided solid rim protection for Ginebra early in Game Three of the 2022 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals, Sunday night.
The Best Import favorite terrorized Meralco with five blocks in the first half, already the most he has had in this season-ending conference. His previous tournament-high was three, which he tallied for a total of five games.
Three of his swats came in the second period, where the Gin Kings wrested control of the match that saw them lead by 13 points.
Brownlee said that there’s a conscious effort on his part to defend the paint that way, with the reigning champs missing Japeth Aguilar since the semis.
The 6-foot-9 forward remains out due to a calf injury but has been in uniform since Game Two. It is possible that he could return to action in Game Four on Wednesday, although that depends on how he responds to tests prior.
“Well, I’ve been trying to be that, ever since Japeth has been out,” said Brownlee. “He really brings that rim protection for us.
“He’s been obviously really good at that, and I know that that’s something we miss. I’m definitely making a conscious effort in trying to defend the paint and the rim for us,” added the 33-year-old, who finished with six blocks.
However, his efforts ended in vain. Ginebra blew the big lead it built, losing steam in the second half and eventually lost, 83-74.
While he was remarkable on defense, the same could not be said with the way he performed on the other end. Brownlee was limited to just 19 points, his lowest scoring output to date in the conference.
The American cager could only tip his hat to the Bolts, who finished the game with a 14-5 run after allowing the Barangay to tie it up at 69.
“Give a lot of credit to Meralco. They played tough, they played hard. Coach Norman Black, he really — you could tell that he really has a good game plan for his team. And they came out and executed well,” he said.
But at the same time, Brownlee also felt that the loss was really on the entire GInebra for not making their shots, especially down the stretch.
“I felt like this one is more so on us, you know,” he said. “As I’ve said, give a lot of credit to Meralco, but I really feel like tonight, we kind of beat ourselves.
“You know, not making free throws, we didn’t hit the shots that we normally make. A lot of credit to Meralco, but I feel like this one is on us tonight.”
Brownlee himself wasn’t at his best shooting-wise. He shot just 8-of-21 from the field, including a poor 1-of-10 clip from beyond the arc.
So, he looks to atone for that come Game Four on Wednesday, where he and the Kings aim to reduce the series to a virtual best-of-three.
“I just gotta keep shooting,” said Brownlee. “I gotta make shots. Some of those shots I missed were definitely against a great defense. Some, I just had time and space, I was open and I just missed them.
“You know, it happens. Sometimes it happens. Sometimes bad shooting happens like that. But hopefully next game, I could knock some shots down.”
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