It’s scary for the opposing team whenever Justin Brownlee switches his playoff mode on.
San Miguel witnessed that, as Brownlee waxed hot on Friday night to power the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to a 1-0 lead over the Beermen in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
The versatile 6-foot-5 forward fired 42 points on an excellent 89.5 percent shooting from the field, along with nine assists, seven rebounds, and two blocks in the Barangay’s 127-99 victory.
18 points of his output came in the first quarter alone, just two points shy of tying the Beermen’s production in the same frame. Brownlee shot a perfect 8-of-8 from the floor in that period.
“Justin was his awesome self,” praised Ginebra head coach Tim Cone.
Friday night marked his second 40-point outing in this conference’s playoffs — he did it first back in Game Three of their semifinal series against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, with 44 markers.
“I like to credit the offense that coach Tim gives us,” said Brownlee. “That’s number one. His offense, you know, there are a lot of different reads and things you could do out there with it.
“So I try to mix it up, and then, my teammates, they always try to find me. Whether it’s giving me a nice pass or giving me a good screen, and things like that.”
But more than the system, it is the aggressiveness that Cone wants to see from Brownlee that has led to the awe-inspiring performances by the Best Import candidate.
“Coach, he’s been talking about this series, the whole playoffs – that we gotta try come out aggressive and win game one. I was just trying to do exactly that: be aggressive,” said the 30-year-old.
“It just motivates me that they want me to score, they want me to be aggressive. I like it and I’m trying to embrace it.”
